This concept book is written in rhyme and focuses on the sense of hearing. We are guided through a noisy city by a boy who is hyperaware of all the noise. The text is very descriptive and this would make for a fun book to read at storytime. ( )

Author Tim McCanna, whose previous picture-books in rhyme include such titles as Bitty Bot, returns in this rollicking celebration of sounds of all kinds. "Listen! Do you hear a sound? / Noises come from all around. / Soft and gentle, loud and clear, / Oh so many sounds to hear!" So begins the narrative, going on to chronicle all the sounds of a young boy's day, concluding with his bedtime...

There isn't really much of a story in So Many Sounds, despite the ostensible narrative of the boy's day, but despite that fact, it works very well. The rollicking rhymes are well done, and would make for an excellent read-aloud, especially at bedtime, given the conclusion of the book. The artwork by Andy J. Miller is colorful and cartoon-like, and although not quite to my own taste, ably complements the text. Not an earth-shattering addition to the world of picture-books, this is still a cute new title, one I would recommend especially to those searching for rhyming tales suitable for toddlers and young children. ( )