Jim Dale – Narrator

Born Aug 15, 1935 Rothwell, England

Narrator, actor, comedian

Listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for the most character voices in an audiobook (more than 200)

Winner of 9 Audie Awards

There’s something about Jim Dale.  Well actually there is a lot we could say about Jim Dale, but in relation to this website NarrationZone.com, Jim Dale is AWESOME!.

I have to say though, not for the reason that many people would probably say (because of his work on the Harry Potter books), but simply because of his talent, preparation, and drive to always give great performances.

Yes, the Harry Potter series was the medium that got his work into the Guinness Book of World Records, but the talent is all Jim Dale.

Specializing in children’s and young adult narration, according to Jim, because he never grew up himself.  Known for his extensive preparation however, it’s hard to believe that.  Most kids aren’t known for being prepared in advance, at least not mine anyway!

I, of course, found Jim through the Harry Potter series.

I had read the books (the old fashioned way) originally.  Then I watched the movies, and last came the audio books. I have no sense of timing when it comes to doing things in a ‘traditional’ order.

Whether you are interested in the Harry Potter series or similar works or not, you absolutely must try a Jim Dale narration piece to experience this tremendous talent.

Jim is a 4 out of 4 in my Narrator rating scale, and that puts him in my current top 10!

Check out the sample listings below.

Jim Dale sample works –
A Christmas Carol, (Listening Library Version) Charles Dickens
The Cricket on the Hearth, Charles Dickens
Stoneheart: The Stoneheart Trilogy, Book 1, Charlie Fletcher
Silvertongue: The Stoneheart Trilogy, Book 3, Charlie Fletcher
Ironhand: The Stoneheart Trilogy, Book 2, Charlie Fletcher
A Visit from St. Nicholas: ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas, Clement Moore
Peter and the Starcatchers: The Starcatchers, Book 1, Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson
Blood Tide: A Never Land Adventure, Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson
Peter and the Shadow Thieves: The Starcatchers, Book 2, Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson
Peter and the Sword of Mercy: The Starcatchers, Book 4, Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson
Cave of the Dark Wind: A Never Land Adventure, Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson
Peter and the Secret of Rundoon: The Starcatchers, Book 3, Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson
Escape from the Carnivale: A Never Land Adventure, Dave Barry, Ridley Pearson
Return to the Hundred Acre Wood, David Benedictus
The Night Circus, Erin Morgenstern
Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone, Book 1, J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Book 2, J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Book 3, J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Book 4, J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Book 5, J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Book 6, J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Book 7, J.K. Rowling
Peter Pan, J.M. Barrie
James Herriot’s Treasury for Children: Warm and Joyful Animal Tales, James Herriot
The Emerald Atlas: Books of Beginning, John Stephens
The Fire Chronicle: The Books of Beginning, Book 2, John Stephens
The Black Reckoning: Books of Beginning, Book 3, John Stephens
Around the World in 80 Days, Jules Verne
Lies! & Po, Lauren Oliver, Kei Acedera
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
Arthur and the Minimoys & Arthur and the Forbidden City, Luc Besson
The Boy with the Cuckoo-Clock Heart: A Novel, Mathias Malzieu, Sarah Ardizzone(translator)
The Spirit of Christmas, Nancy Tillman
The Little Miss Collection 4, Roger Hargreaves
The Little Miss Collection, Roger Hargreaves
The Little Miss Collection 2, Roger Hargreaves
The Little Miss Collection 3, Roger Hargreaves
The Mr. Men Collection, Roger Hargreaves
The Mr. Men Collection 4, Roger, and Adam Hargreaves
The Show Bird: A Musical Fable, Samuel Jones
Peter and the Wolf, Sergei Prokofiev
Ghost Hawk, Susan Cooper
King of Shadows, Susan Cooper
Grimm’s Fairy Tales, The Brothers Grimm
Bikeman, Thomas F. Flynn