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Joyful Noise is just what the title indicates: a joyful noise in delightful poetry form. Bonus: it’s all about bugs.
*Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by Eric Beddows. HarperCollins, 1988. 44 pages.
- Reading Level: Picture books, ages 4-8
- Recommended For: Ages 6-10
“We’re whirligig beetles/ we’re swimming in circles,/ black backs by the hundred.”
Most children (and their parents, let’s be honest) find bugs fascinating. Bugs are noisy. They’re colorful. They seem to live everywhere, and each kind of bug is distinctive: bees, grasshoppers, whirligig beetles….
But other poetry books include poems about bugs. The subject matter is fun, but the real delight of this Newbery-winning book is its sheer celebration of reciting poetry and playing with the music of language. Do not miss the note at the beginning of this book. Directions ask readers to read this volume aloud, in 2 or more voices. If you follow those directions (or listen to an excellent audio version of this book), you will experience a truly joyful noise.
Like an antiphonal call and response in church, the poems in this volume require readers to time their lines accordingly (some lines overlap, some alternate). Children who can read aloud well enough to participate will find endless amusement in sharing these poems together. If your audience cannot participate, find another adult to read the volume with you to the delight of your listeners.
Illustrations add much to the enjoyment as black and white drawings portray most insects in a delightful combination of accuracy and whimsy.
*indicates a Redeemed Reader starred review, an outstanding example in its field.
Bottom Line: Highly recommended—a Redeemed Reader favorite.
Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader
- Book Review: I Haiku You is a sweet introduction to Japanese haiku for children.
- Book Review: Little Poems for Tiny Ears by Lin Oliver and illustrated by Tomie dePaola (perfect for the very young).
- Book Review: Over the Hills and Far Away — add this one to your Mother Goose collections!
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