by Koen Van Biesen School Library Journal PreS-Gr 1-In this enchanting Belgian import, bespectacled Roger, clad in a vest, a bow-tie, and a tweed cap, settles down to enjoy a book in peace and quiet. His reverie is repeatedly interrupted by Emily, an energetic youngster next door with loud hobbies-singing, drumming, juggling, and even boxing. With each disturbance, an increasingly irritated Roger knocks louder and louder on the wall, until in utter exasperation, he brings Emily a gift-a book of her own. When they both settle down to read, the story reaches its true crescendo-Roger's long-suffering dog demands to be taken for a walk, and Roger and Emily oblige. Van Biesen's mixed-media illustrations are somewhat reminiscent of the work of Chris Raschka and Vladimir Radunksy, but have a whimsical style of their own. Ingenious use of the book's gutter as the dividing wall between the apartments, clever changes in typography to signal sound volume, and the hilarious visual elements, such as the plight of Roger's basset hound, are but a few examples of Van Biesen's sophisticated use of visual effects. VERDICT This winsome story deserves a place in most collections.-Yelena Alekseyeva-Popova, formerly at Chappaqua Library, NY (c) Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. (c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Publishers Weekly Belgian artist Van Biesen's fluid line, witty typography, and bits of photographic collage give this story an abundance of style. "Shhhh! Quiet. Roger is reading. Roger is reading a book," Van Biesen begins while a studious fellow in a bow tie and a tweed cap sits on a stool in his apartment, perusing a small volume. The next page reveals his neighbor, a small girl in a violet dress with a butterfly perched on her head; the gutter of the book serves as the intervening wall between their apartments. "Boing Boing. Emily is playing. Emily is playing a game." Emily bounces a basketball, whose multiple images convey the barrage of noise. He knocks on the wall grumpily, and the arms race continues as Emily switches to singing, drumming, juggling, ballet, and boxing. Roger's frustration grows until he arrives at a tidy solution-a book for Emily. The comic escalation of Emily's noisy pursuits, combined with delightfully unexpected details (Emily's toy giraffe becomes a lamp as she reads into the night), add up to a beautifully crafted piece of work. Ages 4-8. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved Book list It's a rainy night and Roger, a bespectacled chap wearing a sweater vest, is reading in his apartment with a basset hound at his feet. Well, he is trying to read, but his young neighbor Emily is making a racket: bouncing a ball, playing a drum, singing, and even juggling and dropping heavy clubs Each time Emily makes noise, Roger knocks on the wall that separates them and she quiets down for a while. Finally, inspired, he delivers to Emily her very own book. Now both can read quietly as the evening grows dark. That is, until a barrage of barking from the hound, who requires a much-needed walk, interrupts the silence. Simple line drawings are enhanced with bits of collage and bright washes of color. Enchanting details abound, such as Emily's butterfly hair bow and a toy giraffe that turns into a lamp. Belgian artist Van Biesen also has fun with fonts, giving visual flair to the playing, knocking, and barking. A charming story made even more so by the original, beautiful design.--Mazza, April Copyright 2015 Booklist From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission. |
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