Sounds Like Joy

Toddler-Gr 1–Life changes for Joy the mermaid when she discovers something new has floated down to her ocean reef. With each shake of her jingle-jangle, a glorious noise emerges, and Joy invites the other creatures residing on the reef to join her in explorations of movement and sound. When the jingle-jangle breaks unexpectedly, Joy is distressed, believing that she will never hear such a pleasant noise again. Luckily, Joy’s friends are tenacious problem-solvers, and their solutions can help bring joy to all. This colorful picture book is eye-catching thanks to the richly pigmented hues that adorn the expressive illustrations. As long as readers are willing to suspend disbelief about the tambourine making noise underwater, the story flows smoothly and enjoyably from beginning to end. The text itself is brief in length and straightforward in its delivery, making the book accessible to toddler and early preschool-aged readers. Alongside the text are words that represent the sounds Joy and her companions make together, inviting a musical interpretation and extension of the book as it is read aloud. Charming, anthropomorphic characters and whimsical imagery enhance the appeal of this book for young children, and the book’s blend of sound and visuals make it a good selection for story hours.