What Sound Is Morning?

In this standalone follow-on to What Color Is Night?, a narrator invokes early morning sounds as the world begins to stir. Economical sentences draw attention to noises that are easy to overlook: "Lights click on,/ a cat softly creeps" reads one spread as dawn reddens the sky above houses shrouded in darkness. Snider's spreads, splashed with brilliant, milky hues on matte paper, have the feel of silkscreen images. As "the silent sun rises," loose lines pick out trees and soft human silhouettes, taillights on cars and trucks, a cityscape. One page zooms in on a single household ("A shower trickles,/ a mirror squeaks"); another lends appreciation to a garbage truck on a silent block. Throughout, scenes portray beauty in even the most banal examples of a built environment, such as anonymous, office-like buildings whose windows reflect the sky and whose lawn blooms with flowerlike jets: "Sprinklers hiss on summer lawns." Concluding with an invitation to "throw open the window// and fill the world with your song," Snider's creation uncovers everyday wonders by re-creating a single sense with language, form, and color. Ages 2-4. Agent: Judy Hansen, Hansen Literary. (May)

Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Toddler-PreS--In the first light of the morning, all is quiet...or is it? What sounds are made in the morning? Listen closely, and you will hear the sound of lights clicking on, cats slowly creeping, the wind whispering in the leaves, a rooster crowing, and an old dog yawning, just awake from a dream. Morning also brings the sound of a baby babbling, sprinklers hissing on summer lawns, frogs croaking and splashing in a murmuring stream, and breakfast sizzling as hopeful paws tap the floor. The world is waking while the silent sun slowly rises. Snider explores both the unique and the universal sounds and silent routines that each new day brings. Simple text accompanies bright, warm illustrations to form a calm, moving book that is the perfect morning read-aloud, ensuring a gentle and positive start to any day. VERDICT A beautiful companion to Snider's What Color is Night? that encourages readers to slow down, greet the day, and fill the world with their own songs.--Elizabeth Blake, Fields Corner Library, Dorchester, MA

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"This sweet, simple story will awaken young listeners' imaginations to a world of early-a.m. wonders. . . . [What Sound is Morning?] a fine springboard into laptime, classroom, and library-programming activities. . . Bold illustrations burst from the pages. . . Children will raise a loud cheer for this morning story."-Kirkus, starred review