Quiet Loud

Quiet Loud

by Leslie Patricelli

Whether you read it quietly or loudly, learning about opposites has never been more fun - or funny - than with this winning board book.  "Sniffles are quiet, but sneezes are loud." Amiably illustrated in a bright, graphic style, Leslie Patricelli's spirited board book, Quiet Loud stars an obliging, bald, and very expressive toddler who acts out each pair of opposites with comically dramatic effect.

A simple book filled with comparisons of things that are quiet or loud, this is a great book to introduce toddlers to the concept of opposites. The illustrations consist of a diapered, facially-expressive toddler exploring the world around them and making discoveries about various objects and actions. For example, "fishies are quiet" but "doggies are loud." Each comparison is set against a brightly-colored background and sits on the adjacent page to its opposite, providing kids with an easy-to-see contrast. The book is repetitive, alternating between quiet and loud objects, which allows children to easily follow along and chime in.

In addition to teaching kids about the opposites in the book, parents can add extra comparisons. Providing children with an example, such as a vacuum cleaner, and then asking them if it's quiet or loud can help keep your youngsters cognitive skills sharp. Thanks to the brightly colored pages, this is also a great book for practicing colors.

I read this story, along with the author's other opposite books, to a little girl I babysit. Paige loves to get involved with the story and fill in the blanks when I would pause. She can even read the book to herself, thanks to the vividly descriptive illustrations.

--Abby