We had the opportunity to review a physical copy of the audio CD Captain Bayley’s Heir from Heirloom Audio Productions.
Captain Bayley’s Heir is a two CD audio set that has 20 tracks. Although that may sound like a lot, the story flows easily and your attention will be quickly captured in this exciting story. With a cast that includes notable actors like Brian Blessed, John Rhys-Davies, Jade Williams, Ian Porter, Finty Williams and David Shaw-Parker, Captain Bayley’s Heir is just as exciting as what we have come to expect from an Heirloom Audio Production.
There is nothing worse than being accused of a crime you did not commit. That is just what has happened to Frank, a young man who was accused of stealing money from his headmaster. Although he is doubted by his headmaster, Frank receives support from his peers. One of his close friends even sells his prized book collection, so Frank can flee England and head to America. He not only wants to escape being expelled, but the disappointment he believes his uncle will feel about him. Frank was wrong about his uncle’s feelings.
After arriving in America and working on a ship, Frank joins three men on a caravan and begins an adventure to California. Frank finds himself having to grow up very quickly as do most Henty characters. He has to work for a living and kills someone in defense of another person. Along with Frank’s story, we learn the drama that surrounds his uncle’s daughter.
Along with the CD, we gained access to special bonus content that includes a number of resources:
Captain Bayley’s Heir Adventure Playlist
Captain Bayley’s Heir E-Book
Printable Cast Poster
Study Guide & Discussion Starter
Inspirational Hymn Poster
Desktop Wallpaper Download
All of these are With download or reading online capabilities.
We usually do not use the study guide, but the story was one that presented many issues we wanted to discuss further.
The study guide helped us with sections:
Listening Well
This section is just as it states. With questions that test your knowledge, you are able to see how well you listened to each chapter(?) of the story. The questions are brief and led to a fun question and answer period for us. We did not read through the questions until after listening to the CDs, which tested our memory even more. The story was just too good to stop after each track to take time to answer the questions.
Thinking Further
This section had more questions, but were based more our knowledge alongside and beyond the story. Using what was presented in the story with what we knew before hearing it.
One question: What is a chimneysweep? Have you ever encountered a chimneysweep in any other books or movies? (There’s a song about chimneysweeps that you may have heard or learned.)
Hmm. We just saw Mary Poppins, so this one an easy one.
Another question: What is a family crest? How does a crest differ from a coat of arms? Does your family have a coat of arms or a crest? (Ask your parents.) Can you find a coat of arms connected with your family name?
Defining Words
We learned new vocabulary in this section. Do you know what vivacity or Duomo mean?
Additional content included Expand Your Learning that covered topics like Important People During the Gold Rush, history of the Gold Rush Mining Camps.
A Bible study section is also included in the study guide that discusses Gods grace, about becoming a Christian and honoring your parents.
I really love audio dramas, because they make you think, use your mind. The audio dramas from Heriloom Audio Productions are presented in a manner that help you create a movie in your mind. I think that has something to do with the professional actors (often theatrical actors as opposed to television and movie). A theatrically trained actor is skilled in making you feel emotions and have experiences without the use of many props (ex: special effects). It was a pleasure to watch my children be engaged and actually listening to a story without having to watch it play before their eyes. With the help of the talented people telling the story and the great story telling of G.A. Hentry, they used their imagination to follow the story.
My children also loved listening to Captain Bayley’s Heir.
Availabilty
Captain Bayley’s Heir two CD set is available for $29.97.
Social Media Links
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