IT'S SO QUIET

Bedtime serves up a racket for a mouse whose mama has settled him down to sleep.

At first, with only the accompaniment of whirring moths and the click of a light, it’s too peaceful for the young murine; he complains—loudly. Mama explains that if he listens to “the small sweet sounds of nighttime,” slumber will come. The outdoor symphony begins innocently with the sounds of a frog, crickets, the screen door, a dog’s thumping tail, a breeze, and Granddad’s snoring. Then it crescendos, growing more raucous as the night—and page turns—proceeds. This is clarified in print, as numerous onomatopoeic words, representing a plethora of cacophonous noises occurring simultaneously, are incorporated into the text in increasingly larger fonts. With various sounds gaining momentum (these beg to be read aloud animatedly), Mouse repeatedly opens his window, wondering what’s happening. When he’s finally over the clamor, he roars for silence. He needs sleep! Peace is restored…or is it? This uproarious offering, narrated in jaunty rhymes, will evoke lots of laughter. Kids will love repeating the sound effects in loud voices and may be inspired to create their own versions of animal sounds and household squeaks and creaks. The appealing, energetic illustrations, set against mostly dark backgrounds, feature textured, frequently off-kilter lines that add and amplify energy. Mouse and his family are delightfully expressive.

Reassuring; great for sleepers who need the right balance of quiet and sound at bedtime.