SurLaLune's Review: Jessica Souhami reinterprets
the beloved Jewish folktale often known as "Too Much Noise."
She replaces the usual wise rabbi character with Aunty Bella,
a wise woman in the village.
When a farming family finds its small house cramped
and noisy, the father Joseph visits Aunty Bella for advice on
how to solve their problem. No, she doesn't tell them to find
a new house, but teaches the entire family a lesson in relativity.
By the end of the week, the house is at peace and the family is
grateful for clever Aunty Bella.
Souhami's text is concise, making it an excellent
version of the tale for younger readers. The illustrations are
bright and colorful while using the loss of white space to convey
the feeling of cramped quarters as the tale progresses.
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