Night Noises (Voyager Book) [Paperback]

Mem Fox (Author), Terry Denton (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Voyager Book

As elderly Lily Laceby dozes by the fire, her dog, Butch Aggie, becomes alarmed by strange noises outside. Finally awakened by Butch Aggie’s growls and barks, Lily finds a lovely surprise waiting for her. “The language, pacing, tension, and sparks of excitement are absolutely at one with the artwork.”--The Horn Book

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

With "hair as wispy as cobwebs in ceilings," old Lily Laceby casts a wistful vote for eternal youth as she receives a gaggle of unexpected guests. Ages 3-7.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2-- Another tender, good-humored encounter between young and old from the author of Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge (Kane/Miller, 1985). As old Lily Laceby dozes peacefully in her armchair, her barrel-shaped dog, Butch Aggie, pricks an ear at the quiet click of car doors outside, cocks her head to the crunch of feet on the garden path, bristles at the mutter of voices, rumbles at the rattle of the doorknob, and finally breaks into barking when fists pound on the door. Lily wakes with a start, gets up and lets in--a horde of family and friends wishing her a "Happy Birthday!" "Are you really ninety?" whispers Emily, her great-great-granddaughter. "Inside I'm only four-and-a-half, like you," Lily answers, "but don't tell anyone." Fox builds up treamy scenes from Lily's life parade past in a wordless series of side panels. Emily looks older than four and a half, but that's a minor bobble in this happy collaboration. --John Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (August 17, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152574212
• ISBN-13: 978-0152574215
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 9.4 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #245,016 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #23 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Issues > Sleep

More About the Author

MEM FOX is the author of many acclaimed books, including Possum Magic, Koala Lou, Time for Bed, and, for adults, Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever. She lives in Adelaide, Australia.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful Dignity, August 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Night Noises (Voyager Book) (Paperback)

Mem Fox's story about the evening adventure of an older lady is told with dignity and joy. As Lily dozes by the fire, she dreams of her life and how it has changed. What an excellent way to introduce children to the concept that as they grow and change, the important things stay the same, such as love and family. It is also a delightful way to assure young children that though family members and neighbors may be old and seem very different, they have lived a life very similar. In our society, often the elderly are portrayed as a burden and not a blessing. Instead of focusing upon the contributions that these people have made, and continue to make, we discuss the burden of "caring for them." This book is a great way to show young children what older people may really be like. Most importantly, it is a sweet book about a delightful old lady and her adorable dog. Children and adults alike will be enthralled by the fabulous illustrations and the mystery of the "Night Noises." This is a book I highly recommend to all readers of quality children's literature. If you have never enjoyed a Mem Fox story before, this is a fabulous way to find a new favorite author.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprise!, August 10, 2005

By 

...Loggie... "Loggie-log-log-log" (I live on the earth, in the western hemisphere, in North America, in the country of the United States of America, in Illinois in the town of Champaign) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Night Noises (Voyager Book) (Paperback)

This is a cute story about one wild winter night. Lily Laceby, a very old lady, is busy sitting and dreaming by the fire, oblivious to all the noises going on around her. The noises are made by a group of people massing outside her front door. When she is woken up by their knock on the door, she finds all her friends and family there, wishing her a happy birthday.

The story loses a lot of charm in the description above, partly because the author does such a good job telling the tale. Also, the sounds made are emphasized by the font, and style choices of the words, another part of this book's charm.
The illustrations are not exactly my favorite, but they suit the book very well. They are colorful, but not bold nor clearly defined. Other than a slight dislike of the illustrations though, it is a good book.

Loggie-log-log-log

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Night Noises, January 27, 2008

By 

G. Kelly "Purplelady" (MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Night Noises (Voyager Book) (Paperback)

Funny book by our favorite Australia author, Mem Fox. And yet there is a deeper message about loyalty (her dog) and family. Anyone with an elderly relative can really relate!