Mice Squeak, We Speak - Softcover

DePaola, Tomie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0590386662 ISBN 13: 9780590386661

Publisher: Scholastic Canada, Limited, 1999

Synopsis

Now in a board book format, this delightful poem with charming folk-art style pictures from renowned illustrator Tomie dePaola is a perfect first book for sharing with young children.

"The sounds that animals make is the joyful subject of this very simple rhyme in the three verses and dePaola's exuberant illustrations in his best bold folk-art style will have kids joining in and shouting out the words." (Booklist, starred review)

"Simplicity is the soul of this toddler-friendly poem about how animals and humans communicate. It's also at the heart of the crayon-bright artwork, a model of merry restraint." (Publishers Weekly)

About this title

Review:

Illustrated in gorgeous, muted hues, this board-book version of an elegantly simple poem is a picture perfect introduction to animal--and people--sounds for very young readers. Every page, framed in decorative borders, reveals a critter making noise: "Flies hum. / Dogs growl. / Bats screech. / Coyotes howl. / Frogs croak. / Parrots squawk. / Bees buzz. / But I talk!" The animal sounds emerge from or surround the animal itself; thus, "snore snore snore snore..." wafts drowsily out of the mouth of the slumbering bear as snow drifts around the edges of the den. Three children, of different ethnicities, make occasional, giggling appearances throughout, urging each other forward to let their own voices be heard: "But I speak!" "But I say!" "But I talk!" Award-winning artist Tomie dePaola (26 Fairmount Avenue) is in fine form with his luminous folk-art illustrations, which make a delightful accompaniment to Arnold L. Shapiro's friendly rhymes. (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter

About the Author:

Tomie dePaola was born in Meriden, Connecticut, in 1934 to a family of Irish and Italian background. By the time he could hold a pencil, he knew what his life's work would be. His determination to create books for children led to a BFA from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, and an MFA from the California College of Arts & Crafts in Oakland, California.

It drove him through the years of teaching, designing greeting cards and stage sets, and painting church murals until 1965, when he illustrated his first children's book, Sound, by Lisa Miller for Coward-McCann. Eventually, freed of other obligations, he plunged full time into both writing and illustrating children's books.

He names Fra Angelico and Giotto, Georges Rouault, and Ben Shahn as major influences on his work, but he soon found his own unique style. His particular way with color, line, detail, and design have earned him many of the most prestigious awards in his field, among them a Caldecott Honor Award for Strega Nona, the Smithsonian Medal from the Smithsonian Institution, the Kerlan Award from the University of Minnesota for his "singular attainment in children's literature," the Catholic Library Association's Regina Medal for his "continued distinguished contribution," and the University of Southern Mississippi Medallion. He was also the 1990 United States nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for illustration.

Tomie dePaola has published almost 200 children's books in fifteen different countries. He remains one of the most popular creators of books for children, receiving more than 100,000 fan letters each year.

Tomie lives in an interesting house in New Hampshire with his four dogs. His studio is in a large renovated 200-year-old barn.

- He has been published for over 30 years.
- Over 5 million copies of his books have sold worldwide.
- His books have been published in over 15 different countries.
- He receives nearly 100,000 fan letters each year.

Tomie dePaola has received virtually every significant recognition forhis books in the children's book world, including:

- Caldecott Honor Award from American Library Association
- Newbery Honor Award from American Library Association
- Smithson Medal from Smithsonian Institution
- USA nominee in illustration for Hans Christian Andersen Medal
- Regina Medal from Catholic Library Association

copyright © 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Scholastic Canada, Limited
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0590386662
• ISBN 13: 9780590386661
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1