Boom! Bellow! Bleat!

February 25, 2019
Animals of many kinds describe the sounds that they make in poems intended to be read aloud by two or more readers. Frogs and toads set the record straight about the sounds they make: “I am a frog./ I am a toad./ We don’t say ribbit!/ We say.../quonk / waaa/ jug-o-rum/ beeeee/ peep.” Other animal subjects include fish, a rattlesnake (“Stay/ away;/ I’m/ warning/ you”). DeWitt’s digital collages show fine detail in the animals’ features, depicting how their physical characteristics range as widely as their sounds. The use of onomatopoeia all but guarantees a lively group reading experience, while Heard’s back matter includes engaging facts about the biodiverse subjects. Ages 5–9.

May 10, 2019

Gr K-3-Poems for two voices and a chorus thrum, rattle, peep, and trill in this baker's dozen celebration of the noises of animals. From booming forest elephants to singing Humpback whales to the pistol-shot BANG of a bigclaw snapping shrimp and the shrilling of spring peepers, this melange of resounding sound is graced by colorful, semi-realistic digital illustrations. Back matter introduces paragraphs of information about the featured creatures and may lead curious minds to more detailed investigations. While not as focused or as elegant as Paul Fleischman's Newbery-winning Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices, this is a welcome addition to the oft-neglected 811.54s. VERDICT This title should inspire some classroom teachers to showcase joyous presentations in school auditoriums and on parent back-to-school nights. Sprightly, informative, and FUN!-Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 15, 2019
Kids love to make animal noises.The 13 poems in this collection vary in style, but all rely heavily on accurate animal sounds made by mammals, reptiles, birds, insects, and fish. A "performance key" on the contents page gives instructions for the proper reading by "two or more readers." The poems are printed primarily in two colors, each meant for a reader (or readers) to read alternately, with a third signifying unison. The last poem, "Forest Orchestra," has a different pattern, explained on that page, and could lead to a culminating symphony of sounds. With an adult leader to direct, the poems could become part of a creative performance piece, and use as a home read-aloud could lead to playful adult-child interaction. The bold, digital illustrations have a painterly feel. "Rattlesnake's Warning," with its words printed in white and orange on a black double-page spread, is wonderfully enhanced by a coiled snake with mouth agape and two sharp fangs waiting. This poem is one of the more powerful, with its short verses: "By night, / I see your heat / as I slither / near your feet" punctuated by the "chhhhhh-chhhhhh-chhhhhh" sound of the rattle. Fascinating closing notes offer opportunities for caregivers to extend the instruction, but children aren't likely to peruse these dense pages.In the hands of the right presenter, this book could lead to exciting aural experiences. (Picture book/poetry. 6-9)

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