Mice Squeak, We Speak [Hardcover]

Arnold Shapiro (Author), Tomie dePaola (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 25, 1997 | Age Level: 2 and up

A brightly illustrated, simple rhyme introduces small children to a menagerie of animals and the various sounds they make, from purring cats and mooing cows to quacking ducks and snoring bears."

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Illustrated in gorgeous, muted hues, this board-book version of an elegantly simple poem is a picture perfect introduction to animal--and people--sounds for very young readers. Every page, framed in decorative borders, reveals a critter making noise: "Flies hum. / Dogs growl. / Bats screech. / Coyotes howl. / Frogs croak. / Parrots squawk. / Bees buzz. / But I talk!" The animal sounds emerge from or surround the animal itself; thus, "snore snore snore snore..." wafts drowsily out of the mouth of the slumbering bear as snow drifts around the edges of the den. Three children, of different ethnicities, make occasional, giggling appearances throughout, urging each other forward to let their own voices be heard: "But I speak!" "But I say!" "But I talk!" Award-winning artist Tomie dePaola (26 Fairmount Avenue) is in fine form with his luminous folk-art illustrations, which make a delightful accompaniment to Arnold L. Shapiro's friendly rhymes. (Baby to preschool) --Emilie Coulter --This text refers to the Board book edition.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 1. DePaola's latest offering combines his wonderfully detailed folk-art illustrations with a poem by Shapiro originally entitled "I Speak, I Say, I Talk." Three wide-eyed, enthusiastic guides, two boys and a girl, bear the message that every living thing has something to utter, but only humans talk. Speech balloons encapsulate their words. The two characters who aren't speaking listen and watch their friend with happy facial expressions. Brilliant watercolors and a vignette-style format make this book a perfect choice for read-aloud sessions. The animals represented are shown in their natural habitats: the bear snores while hibernating in a cave, the sheep bleats in the meadow, the frog croaks in the pond, etc. However, Shapiro's poem uses sounds that are not commonly identified with that animal. For example, "Crickets creak" rather than chirp; "Flies hum" rather than buzz. Still, this is an entertaining presentation of a concept not commonly introduced to young children.?Susan Garland, Maynard Public Library, MA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile; First Edition edition (August 25, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399232028
• ISBN-13: 978-0399232022
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,322,326 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rhymes and Bright Pictures Make This Book a Hit, June 24, 2000

By 

Amy (Alexandria, Vatican City State (Holy See)) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mice Squeak, We Speak (Hardcover)

"Mice Squeak, We Speak" is one of the first books my son started to reach for and request that I read to him. It is one he can listen to over and over--and, fortunately, it's fun for me to read aloud to him.

Each animal sound is introduced with a simple two-word sentance and a colorful, full-page drawing of the animal. The rhythmic, rhyming passages, coupled with the fact that the pages are turned quickly (no more than four words per two-page spread) make this a favorite for early listeners or readers.

I highly recommend this book for young children to introduce them to listening to and reading books.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT BOOK TO TEACH ANIMAL SOUNDS, July 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Mice Squeak, We Speak (Hardcover)

This is a wonderfully illustrated book filled with animal sounds that children can learn and read along with the reader. The audio tape is also wonderful...the children love to listen to this story while in the car or before bed, even w/o the book. My kids love it! Our school is going to use this book as one of the curriculum books for the school year.

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Book, May 12, 2006

By 

Sprite Marie (North Dakota) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mice Squeak, We Speak (Paperback)

This is one of the best books about animal sounds ever written. I teach 2 year olds at a daycare center and this is the only book they will sit through from beginning to end. This book even has the other teachers impressed when they peak in my room and the toddlers are all sitting at attention. We read it nearly every day!