DiCamillo, Kate. 2001. Because of Winn-Dixie. Performed by Cherry Jones. New York: Random House Audio Publishing Group. ISBN # 0-8072-6186-6.
Di Camillo, Kate. 2000. Because of Winn-Dixie. Cambridge: Candlewick Press. ISBN # 0-7636-0776-2.
In the two audiocassettes version of Kate DiCamillo's Newbery Honor book, Cherry Jones gives a laudable performance of ten-year-old India Opal Buloni, or Opal. This unabridged version of the book in print came in a plastic case with the same illustration on the cover as on the book. On the back a quick description of the book as well as biographical information is given for both the author and the reader, Cherry Jones. As the listener opens the case the two cassettes are found on the right of the inside of the case and upon popping the cassette into the player, Jones, an award winning film and stage actress, transports the listener to Naomi, a small Florida town, as seen through the eyes of young Opal.
Opal, having recently relocated to Naomi with her father, who she refers to as "the Preacher" is changed when she claims ownership of a stray dog while running a grocery store errand for her father. A motherless child, Opal has abandonment issues that sadly many children will be familiar with. On the spot Opal dubs the mutt Winn-Dixie and from that moment they become inseparable.
The story is a charming one. The story is told in first person through Opal. The characters seem believable and the small town setting is convincing. The sound quality of the book is clear and consistent, enabling Jones southern twang to be in the limelight. Her accent adds multitudes to the story and her ability to give each character his or her own voice through changes in tone or speed of her voice is commendable. A short musical prelude introduces the story and gives it a southern feel.
Opal is a likeable character with whom young listeners will identify. Upon moving to a new town with her father, she feels very alone. She begins to think more about her mother who had abandoned her and her father when she was young. However as the title suggests, "Because of Winn-Dixie," Opal's life begins to change as she meets eccentric members of the community. The book has hints of other popular books. For example, reminiscent of To Kill a Mockingbird, despite warnings from young Dunlap and Stevie Dewberry, after Winn-Dixie runs into the yard of the reclusive Gloria Dump whom the boys refer to as "the witch" and Opal and Gloria become fast friends. Later Opal gets a job at Gertrude's Pet Shop to pay for a leash and collar for Winn-Dixie. There she meets and befriends Otis, the convict who charms the animals with his music.
Winn-Dixie is a very likeable character as well. Every child's fantasy is a dog for a best friend and Winn-Dixie, who made friends by pulling back his lips and flashing his pearly whites makes the reader long for a dog to cuddle. He is there to comfort Opal when she feels alone and needs someone to talk to. In return Opal is there for Winn-Dixie when his pathological fear of thunderstorms renders him neurotic.
The style of writing is straightforward although some of the language is figurative. Opal often refers to the preacher as a turtle because, as she explains, when he does not want to discuss something, he pulls his turtle head into his shell. Such language is an appropriate description of her father's reaction from a ten-year old, as is much of the dialogue between Opal and the other characters. For example, one can visualize the elder Miss Franny Block, the librarian at the Herman W. Block Memorial Library setting the stage in telling the story behind the family heirloom, Litmus Lozenges. "Well Litmus came home from the war...and found himself alone. And he sat down on what used to be the front step of his house, and he cried and cried. He cried just like a baby."
The book reaches its climax when Opal and Gloria plan a barbeque and invite all Opal's new friends and some children her age who she had previously dismissed. The barbecue is rained out and in the chaos thunder-phobic Winn-Dixie goes missing. At this point the story's theme unfolds itself: the value of friends. While at times the lessons seem didactic, the pure innocence and likeability of Opal makes them believable.
After listening to the audio version of the book and then reviewing the printed matter, it seems that the listener would be able to become more engaged with the book. Cherry Jones' performance, the natural southern accent and the emphasis she puts in her characters' voices makes listening to the book an engaging sensory experience. Both the book and the audio version of the book will be well appreciated by children and young adults. It is a sweet story that most will identify with and they will close the book with a smile on their faces.
