Our joyful noise

Davis and Stanley combine their talents in this vibrant, rhythmic celebration of a week in the life of a Black family. Through keenly written rhymes and onomatopoeia, Davis crafts an engaging narrative that captures the everyday routines of this loving family. From waking up to the sound of breakfast being made to catching the bus and playing instruments, the book's rhythmic text flows with an easygoing cadence that mirrors the natural rhythms of family life. The story takes readers through various moments, like singing harmonies with Grandma, praying at the dinner table, and the whirrrrrrrrrr of the lawnmower on cleaning day. The week culminates with the family dressing in their Sunday best to sing praises at church and ends with a heartwarming scene of the family enjoying playful moments together before bedtime. The light-filled, digital illustrations employ a semi-realistic style to create a visually appealing portrayal of the family's life. The book also includes a 'Hidden Jewels' section at the end, providing readers with the lyrics and titles of the songs woven into the narrative.

Beloved Black spirituals and other songs have inspired this picture book centered on cherishing the soulful, jazzy sounds of everyday family life. "We move to the sounds / that FLOW through our days." Laced with onomatopoeia, the story follows a multigenerational suburban Black family over the course of a week, from home to school to the park, and more. The children awaken to Mama humming "as she / PLOP, PLOP, PLOPS / fresh-picked berries into the pot," while their feet make a "PUMPA, PUMPA, PUMPA" sound as they race to the school bus. Stanley's realistic digitally rendered illustrations depict warm, immersive scenes of a soul food family dinner, Sunday church service, and a father soothing his children into a good night's rest. Davis concludes with an annotated bibliography of sorts, spotlighting some of the songs that are sampled throughout: "Oh Happy Day," "My Favorite Things," "Wade in the Water," and the relatively more recent "Joy in My Soul." Driven by the harmonious and graceful notes of Black social life, the narrative focuses on moments of shared joys certain to help this family through even the most challenging times. Music has a message, and in this charming tale, the message is love.(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.