Author: Malachy Doyle
Illustrator: Ed Vere
Publisher: Candlewick, 2012
Ages: 3 and up
Themes: families, noise/quiet, tolerance
Opening: CRASH! JANGLE! Meet the Bungles – Whistle! Tweet! Toot!
Summary: (from my library catalogue) The Bungles sure are a large and noisy bunch! So noisy that Sam, the middle Bungle, has no room to think and is desperate to escape his booming, twooting, banging, clanging family. So off he wanders into the woods for some peace and quiet.
I like this book because: I love critters in picture books that I am not quite certain of – are the Bungles raccoons? Could be, maybe. And how Vere used silhouettes for all the other critters, aside from the family pet and a butterfly. Doyle lyrical flair shines through – he really knows how to imbibe rhythm without the use of a formal rhyme, though the main character surprises himself with one!
Resources/activities: What a great way to start a discussion on noise in the classroom and respecting others! I imagine the class could make a poster(s) of self portraits and have the kids make speech bubbles just like the ones in the book, an include some of there likes and dislikes that may or may not have to do with classroom behavior. And if you’re really into picture book making, head over to Picture Book Den, an informative blog Doyle shares with other others. AND here is a great review on the same book with fabulous activity suggestions at This Picture Book Life – HERE
For more Perfect Picture Book picks with teacher/parent resources, check out the list on Susanna Hill’s blog HERE.
The colored but wordless speech bubbles in the spread you showed us are hilarious! I can commiserate with the seeking quiet thing. I think most introverts seek it. 🙂 I’m a bit behind in my PB reading. I just got Little Boy Brown on Wednesday and won’t get to read it until next week. Who knew beta reading a 95K word novel would take so long? 😉
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Err, it would take ME a long time! I could say I read slowly, or I could compare my reading to savoring a hard candy all the way through instead of biting it!
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The illos are adorable and I love the concept. I know an introvert who lives with lots of loud siblings and I often wonder how he copes.
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Give him the book!
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I will for sure
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I love the looks of this Julie. The art reminds me a little of your style. I’m one of those people who can work in absolute silence and yet hear music in my head…I’m always asking hubby to turn down something…or suggesting the quiet game to grands. Guess I’d better find this book and see what the solution is…
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Me too, Laura!
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cool – sounds all over the place!
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It’s not really, it’s cute though.
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I was always the one yelling “too noisy” not my kids. I’m interested to see a kid’s (raccoons?) take on this. Love the vibrant illos!
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Yeah the colors grab, plus there is a cut out in the cover.
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I read this book not long ago. It really is a lot of fun.
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🙂
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Great way to help kids focus their listening skills — sounds are everywhere. I like the illustrations — I wonder if the animal family represents a multitude of animals so that kids can use their imagination. Fun choice.
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The family is there in the second spread shown, I’m just not 100% sure what they are!
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I am so with you on unidentified critters! This looks like colorful fun.
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Oooh – maybe there is a mystery ms in that!
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Very nice. Love all the critters.
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It rhymes…I love it! Some of my favorite picture books are rhyming ones. They are so fun to read and listen to. Good pick, Julie!
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Sorry, there is internal rhyme, and a little on the edges, but the rhythm is the star in this book.
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Ordering now… 😉 Great choice! 😀 It’s awesome! 🙂
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Let me know what you think!
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I’m late, but just put it on hold at the library when I saw the cover! Then, I came back to read your post. It’s ON HOLD! yay!
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Hope it’s not the one I haven’t returned yet/Prospector! But I’ll be heading over today anyway (not like it’s a hike – only 10 blks!)
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Noise! I don’t mind kid noise, but I don’t like barking dog noise. Music noise is nice, but not car noise. This looks like a fun, funny book. It’s going on my want list!
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I prefer soft inside noises, but if I’m cleaning, something good to dance to!
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We do a lot of dancing here as well!!
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Shoulda known!
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I’m sorry to be your copycat on this one, Julie! Or maybe it’s a case of great minds thinking alike. 🙂
Love your idea of self portraits with speech bubbles! It’s also a very Oliver Jeffers thing to do.
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Jeffers was not the first, but definitely a noteworthy bubbler!
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