Noisy Nora [Paperback]

Rosemary Wells (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2000

Book Details:

• Format: Hardcover
• Publication Date: 6/1/1999
• Pages: 32
• Reading Level: Age 1 and Up

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Penguin; Reissue edition (2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140567283
• ISBN-13: 978-0140567281
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.5 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #373,899 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in New York City, Rosemary Wells grew up in a house "filled with books, dogs, and nineteenth-century music." Her childhood years were spent between her parents' home near Red Bank, New Jersey, and her grandmother's rambling stucco house on the Jersey Shore. Most of her sentimental memories, both good and bad, stem from that place and time. Her mother was a dancer in the Russian Ballet, and her father a playwright and actor. Mrs. Wells says, "Both my parents flooded me with books and stories. My grandmother took me on special trips to the theater and museums in New York. "Rosemary Wells's career as an author and illustrator spans more than 30 years and 60 books. She has won numerous awards, and has given readers such unforgettable characters as Max and Ruby, Noisy Nora, and Yoko. She has also given Mother Goose new life in two enormous, definitive editions, published by Candlewick. Wells wrote and illustrated Unfortunately Harriet, her first book with Dial, in 1972. One year later she wrote the popular Noisy Nora. "The children and our home life have inspired, in part, many of my books. Our West Highland white terrier, Angus, had the shape and expressions to become Benjamin and Tulip, Timothy, and all the other animals I have made up for my stories." Her daughters Victoria and Beezoo were constant inspirations, especially for the now famous "Max" board book series. "Simple incidents from childhood are universal," Wells says. "The dynamics between older and younger siblings are common to all families."But not all of Wells' ideas come from within the family circle. Many times when speaking, Mrs. Wells is asked where her ideas come from. She usually answers, "It's a writer's job to have ideas." Sometimes an idea comes from something she reads or hears about, as in the case of her recent book, Mary on Horseback, a story based on the life of Mary Breckenridge, who founded the Frontier Nursing Service. Timothy Goes to School was based on an incident in which her daughter was teased for wearing the wrong clothes to a Christmas concert. Her dogs, west highland terriers, Lucy and Snowy, work their way into her drawings in expression and body position. She admits, "I put into my books all of the things I remember. I am an accomplished eavesdropper in restaurants, trains, and gatherings of any kind. These remembrances are jumbled up and changed because fiction is always more palatable than truth. Memories become more true as they are honed and whittled into characters and stories."

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Responding to the new father July 25, 2004

By Nora

Format:Paperback

This book was one of my favorites as a child. For years, at least one aquaintance would get me this book for my birthday.

The message I remember from it was not that acting out will get you attention. Nora's parents yelled at her for the noise she made.

The message is that your parents love you no matter what, and are willing to forgive bad temper because of that love.

This is a good book for children. The message is lovely, and told in an amusing way.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious! August 11, 2003

By Emily K. Paster

Format:Paperback

This was one of my favorite books growing up. The rhymes are particularly appealing for young readers. I can still recite certain lines: "'I am leaving!' shouted Nora, 'And I am never coming back!' But no one heard anything except a tra la la from Jack." Wonderful stuff. And contrary to what the dad-to-be wrote, the message of this book is heartwarming. You don't have to be a middle child to appreciate Nora's predicament.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't wait to buy this! September 21, 2003

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

This was my favorite book as a small child, and I couldn't wait to buy it for my own children. The rhymes make it fun to read, and children really identify with Nora's predicament. The ending is perfect, too.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars favorite children's book December 23, 2005

By Rachel Pleatman

Format:Paperback

I loved this book as a child, and had it memorized before I could read. Fifteen years later I found myself searching for a copy of it to give to my younger half sister so that she could also enjoy it.

Bottom line: yes, this book features a child acting out for attention. However, Nora's parents ignore her until she stops her bad behavior. Yes, this book uses the word dumb. But any child will hear much worse words from television and other media sources.

"Noisy Nora" is a wonderful book that will instill a love of reading in any child.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Noisy Nora by Rosemary Wells October 12, 2002

By "yramacat"

Format:Hardcover

Noisy Nora is just as much fun to read today as it was when it first came out. I have been teaching second grade forever, and at one time, many years ago, a fellow teacher and myself wore out a filmstrip of Noisy Nora. Our students saw it over and over again. Recently, we used it as the take home book in a Book Bag program. Today's students love it as much as those almost 30 years ago!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a remarkable story. June 15, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

As a Noisy Nora myself I feel that this book accurately depicts a middle child's feelings about sharing the attention from her parents. A better story for the afternoon, not nighttime. Children will be able to relate to Nora's feelings.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A True Classic October 8, 2006

By George Buttner VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

"Noisy Nora" is the story of a young mouse girl, a middle child who just can't seem to get any attention. Ignored because her younger brother needs constant care and her parents play games with her older sister, she resorts to acting out --- making all sorts of noise. The rhymes are simple but catchy.

This version of "Noisy Nora" features all-new illustrations, updating from the original 1973 version. The illustrations go well with the story and add a lot of life. Rosemary Well's very first book is an interesting story that just about anyone can relate to at times.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Early books by Wells stand the test of time September 20, 1998

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

My children (now grown) love Noisy Nora, Stanley and Rhoda, Benjamin and Tulip as much now as when they were young. The pictures in the books can be 'read' at an early age, and the books fit nicely into small hands. The text is catching and I can still recite it years later. Rosemary Wells captures problems with basic human interactions in a timeless fashion.