by Wynton Marsalis ▪ illustrated by Paul Rogers
October 2012 ▪ Candlewick Press ▪ Ages 4-7
The creators of Jazz ABZ are back for an encore! With infectious rhythm and rhyme, musical master Wynton Marsalis opens kids’ ears to the sounds around us.
Story: What’s that sound? The back door squeeeaks open, sounding like a noisy mouse nearby – eeek, eeeek, eeeek! Big trucks on the highway rrrrrrrumble, just as hunger makes a tummy grrrrumble. Jazz Legend Wynton Marsalis combines the everyday sounds of doors creeking and clocks ticking, with the whomp’s and tlawk’s of classic jazz instruments to create a culmination of sounds that turns a lazy neighborhood into a concert in this exciting new book.
Story behind the story: Five years after illustrator Paul Rogers’ and musician Wynton Marsalis’ first collaboration with Jazz ABZ: An A to Z Collection of Jazz Portraits, the creative duo present their new children’s book, which suggests the musical qualities of everyday sounds. By presenting two everyday sounds, and then an instrument that has a similar sound with accompanying poems, the story encourages children to take a closer listen. Marsalis reveals his inspiration, “When I read books to my kids I always animate the stories with sounds. So I started thinking about how everyday sounds we hear in our homes or on the street relate to the sounds of musical instruments.” Rogers hopes that the book inspires readers beyond its pages. He says “This is a book for children written by a jazz musician, and the poems are hip. I hope the drawings measure up to the words. We both hope children and their families enjoy it and listen to the sounds around their own neighborhoods in a new way.”
Read a conversation with Wynton and Paul here.
Praise for Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp!:
★“Loud and clear, the creators show how tuning into everyday sounds can inspire music. Clap, clap, CLAP!” – Kirkus Reviews, starred review★“Who better to lead children in a celebration of sound than jazz virtuoso Wynton Marsalis? From the “tluck…tlock” of a dripping faucet and the “Chrrick chrrrick” of toast being buttered to the noises of trucks, drums, and washboards, the musician gives voice to the sounds enveloping an African American boy throughout the day… This exuberant articulation of sounds both subtle and grandiose is sure to inspire closer listening and creative responses.” – School Library Journal, starred review
Order your reviewer's copy now.
4 Comments on Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp!: A Sonic Adventure ▪ Picture book, last added: 10/25/2012
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This book was lots of fun! I used it to teach a lesson on onomonopia to my 2nd graders. They loved the illustrations and great fonts of all the different "sound" words. We used the teacher's guide that came with the book to identify quiet, medium and loud sounds in our environment. I'd rate it a 4 overall. Thanks!
I loved it. What child doesn't like to make noises. The illustrations were wonderful. 5 out of 5
What a wonderful way to start a Monday morning. When I checked my mailbox at school, Squeak, Rumble, Whomp! Whomp! Whomp! was calling out to me. As I shared the book with my 5th grade colleagues, we immediately brainstormed ideas on how we were able to use this book. The illustrations are creative, the words "sing to you" .I give it a 5 out of 5.
As a librarian, I really like this book. Cute illustrations, inventive use of fonts for the sounds, just the right length for a read aloud, it is very well done. Usually I have to gather several books to illustrate onomatopoeia to the students, but now I only need this one. Definitely a 5 out of 5.