Eek!: A Noisy Journey from A to Z by Julie Larios

Abstract

Reviewed by: Eek!: A Noisy Journey from A to Z by Julie Larios Deborah Stevenson, Editor Larios, Julie Eek!: A Noisy Journey from A to Z; illus. by Julie Paschkis. Peachtree, 2020 [32p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781682631690 $16.99 R 2-4 yrs "Achoo," says a mouse, "bzzz" goes a bee, and thus commences an alphabetical sequence of encounters in sound effects and onomatopoeia. The rambling mouse and bee eventually encounter a cat ("Eek!"), then some dog poop ("Ick"), and the mouse soothes a crying racoon ("Maaaah"). More adventures eventually lead to a ride on a pig's car ("Whee") and finally a cozy sleep ("ZzZzZ"). While not all entries are equally felicitious ("xoxoxo" for X is a stretch), it's an especially lively alphabet to read aloud, and listeners will get a kick out of joining in on the cartoonish sounds. Folk-art-style patterns and motifs make Paschkis' watercolor illustrations attractively decorative; though the letters sometimes could stand out more strongly, it's a visually playful outing, and viewers will enjoy tracking the mouse and the bee (as well as other animals that hang around for a while if not the whole book) through the sequential antics. Kids who couldn't face yet another go on "The Alphabet Song" will happily settle in for a story full of "kabonk" and "oops." Copyright © 2020 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois