THE QUIET NOISY BOOK
by Margaret Wise Brown & illustrated by Leonard Weisgard
Number six in the N Book series (now taken over by Harper) with luscious illustrations by Leonard Weisgard. Muffin, the little dog who heard everything, heard a very quiet noise. What could it be? An elephant tiptoeing downstairs? a mouse sighing? No, it was a very quiet noise — as quiet as quietness; as quiet as someone eating currant jelly, as snow falling — but it really was the sun coming up and the start of a new day. The bright dynamic planes of color explode on the page, enclosing text and easily identified animals and objects. Never underestimate the fascination of brilliant color — some adults do shy away from perspectives not in the traditional pattern, ignoring the interests of the child. Again the text evokes shades of mystery and the warmth of sight and sound sensation.