The Merchant of Noises [Hardcover]

by Anna Rozen (Author) (Author), Francois Avril (Illustrator) (Author), Carl W. Scarbrough (Translator) (Author), Francois Avril (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

In his snazzy plaid coat and dandyish bowler hat, Mr. Bing may seem every bit the playboy, but his sharp haberdashery conceals a shrewd head for business and a fine ear for, well, noises. Not just any noises, mind you, but the sort of noises people want to hear again and again.



One day in the forest, Mr. Bing stumbles upon a million-dollar idea: there are certain noises that, if one could package them attractively, people might want to own. On this modest yet startling premise, he opens a workshop to build and sell his new inventions: part sculpture, part musical instrument, Mr. Bing's wholly original devices make exotic, unexpected, and delightful noises. A few skeptics may scoff, but these remarkable inventions are a ready hit with the public. An impresario arrives with an offer to set up an exhibition in Tokyo.



Yet just as Mr. Bing should be reaping the rewards of his success, things start to go awry. An angry customer arrives, defective noise in hand (clearly a counterfeit), demanding a refund. And there's the matter of the missing Trooloooooloo that keeps him awake at night. . .



This light-hearted book, the first collaboration between author Anna Rozen and illustrator François Avril, is a whimsical tale of ingenuity, industry, horse-sense - and a little impromptu detective work.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 5—This quirky offering spoofs the highbrow world of "sophisticated" visual-arts appreciation. The title gives a hint of the tongue-in-cheek humor so wonderfully expressed within. "His name was Mister Bing. A name with its future written upon it, like Doctor Pill or Mister Bread, the baker." One day, while walking in the forest, he is "struck by the sound of the very last droplet of rain as it landed on a leaf—a sort of TRIKA he found especially harmonious." He sells this sound to a mother and son in the local open-air market. Guessing that many more people might also buy sounds, he starts a business creating and selling a variety of curious objects that make unusual sounds like "Klackata," and "Kween." These sounds are spelled inventively like "TrooLOOOOlooo" and "ZWIPPP" and are further distinguished in appearance by the use of bold and light print, different font sizes, and an amusing placement on the page. The artist cleverly conveys movement and demeanor in his portrayals of people whose heads bob in the air above their elegantly clothed torsos. Dramatic yellow, red, green, and blue spots enliven the gray and black ink drawings that stand out clearly from a bright white background. Mister Bing always wears the exact same attire, a black hat, green plaid suit jacket, white pants, and a red bowtie. While a tad long (and challenging) to read aloud, this creative gem is sure to appeal to savvy children who will appreciate their roles as creators and consumers of sounds.—Kirsten Cutler, Sonoma County Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

This quirky offering spoofs the highbrow world of "sophisticated" visual-arts appreciation. The title gives a hint of the tongue-in-cheek humor so wonderfully expressed within...this creative gem is sure to appeal to savvy shildren who will appreciate their roles as creators and consumers of sounds. --Kirsten Cutler, School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: David R Godine; illustrated edition edition (October 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567923216
• ISBN-13: 978-1567923216
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,579,695 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.