WHO'S MAKING ALL THAT NOISE?!

What are you hearing out there?

Lunde, a naturalist who translates his scientific expertise into appealing introductions for the very young, follows up Whose Egg Is That? (2023) with another delightful nature-themed guessing game. On each spread, the author poses the title question, describes the noise (“RAP TAP TAP! RAP TAP TAP TAP!”), and offers a clue (“It’s a loud hammering on a tree”). The next page reveals the answer and provides more facts about the animal. This inspired approach invites listener participation. The simple text and bold illustrations make this an ideal choice for a group read-aloud. While Lunde mostly uses generic names (dolphin, elephant), at times he’s more specific (quacking frog, rattlesnake). Chen’s lively animation-style illustrations add information: The creature's environs and neighbors are shown on the first spread, while the animal making the sound is on the second. Careful readers will usually be able to spot a hint of the animal on the first spread; indeed, these images bear close observation. Readers can see the grubs that the woodpecker is seeking, and a close-up of African bees reveals the thorns on the acacia tree nearby. The final puzzle makes for a fun surprise. Humans who appear briefly are diverse.

A welcome and unusual spotlight on the sounds of the natural world.