Listen to Our World

Listen To Our World, written by Bill Martin Jr. and Michael Sampson, is paired with Melissa Sweet’s illustrations rich with watercolor, handmade paper, and mixed media. The images are sure to inspire children to try on Sweet's technique as they create their own illustrations to pair with their stories. The story begins with a view of children and mothers rich with diversity. Each child is greeted by their mother and encouraged to listen to the sounds of their world. Sweet’s whimsical illustrations in both horizontal and vertical page spreads bring to life caretakers and their young and their sounds from habitats across the world (a great way to tie in some science!)- The parrots from the top of a kapok tree in the rain forest “Squawk!”; Gila monsters in the desert “Hiss”; Eagles soar above mountain peaks. “Weee-aaa!”; In the jungle, monkeys swing from vines. “Eeee!”; Pandas enjoy bamboo in the forest. “Grrr!”; Crocodiles move through the swamp. “Snap!”; Kangaroos hop through the outback savanna. “Click!”; Little lions playfully “Roar” on the plains; The father penguin stays close to his baby at the South Pole. “Ha ha ha ha!”; Elephants on the grassland drink and graze. “Honk!”; Whales swim in the sea. “Wahhh!” Each page turn is greeted with Sweet's use of typography, which is yet another way to show children how to play with language and text. The story ends the way it began with a loving glimpse of a child with their mother. Only now it is bedtime and the world becomes quiet. The last pages give the reader facts about the animals and their habitats.

Mentor Text Ideas- Onomatopoeia; Animal Habitats; Watercolor Illustrations; Typography