Listen, Listen

by Phillis Gershator, Alison Jay (Illustrator)

Introduce young readers to the sights and sounds of the year from summer's sizzling sun to winter's crackling snow. Featuring breathtaking illustrations by internationally renowned illustrator, Alison Jay, this book will open your child's eyes and ears to the world around them!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Poetry, Storytime, Nature, Fiction, Realistic Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2007

Reviews

[Shelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this oversized board book. Kids love noises, and this book is full of them, from the noises the insects make in summer, to the silent sounds of winter. I can just hear young children mimicing the sounds that are read to them in this delightful book. Children love to learn about the differences in the seasons and this book will help them to do just that. The muted colors and rustic looking illustrations by Alison Jay, add character to this book. I especially liked how she added faces to the flowers and made them come to life on the page as you read, "Pop, pop, bulbs sprout. Leaves grow, flowers shout." An added bonus at the end is an "I Spy" like page for each season that I'm sure kids are going to enjoy. Even though this is a board book, usually for babies, toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy it as well.

[Chinasa Izeogu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This charming book introduces the changing seasons through sound.

"Rains fall, pitter, patter. Sparrows gather, chitter, chatter."

I just love the use of cracking varnish on the alkyd oil paint illustrations. It complements the timeless subject very well.

Read it for story time. It is a hit for all ages. Educational components include: sound, opposites, English - prepositions.

This is a Barefoot Book.

[Helene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never get tired of this book. It's our bedtime book. It's so much fun to recite, even with the nightlight on. But, in the day, when you can see the details in the pictures, it's even better. Each page has little secrets (have you found the witch walking around? Or the Christmas tree?) and they're fun to pour over. We have the large boardbook edition, and it is just gorgeous. Fun, unexpected rhymes, and it goes through the seasons and right back to the beginning. I adore this book.

[Ro Menendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

What do seasons sound like, look like? This story takes us through each season with the use of onomatopoeias readers will love to say out loud. The last four pages challenge the reader to find elements of the session in each picture.

[Steve Holden · Rating 3 out of 5]

In our curriculum, we read a story from a published text collection called "Seek the Sun." We read it this week again, and it's about a Japanese village where a tall building is built near a couple. They are angry because they lose sunlight for their home. They end up going to court, and it's based on a true case long ago where in the village, builders had restrictions on how tall a building could be. Anyways, the short story is told by Phillis Gershator. I didn't know much about her, but I saw this book with the common name. In fact, the story we read with our students isn't even on Goodreads! I had to check this one out.

It's beautifully illustrated. It certainly is a good book for young children. The colorful illustrations and knowledge of the seasons are helpful for the reader. I see there are many books by this author for young learners - mostly preschool aged.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely stunning book that our family has enjoyed immensely.
Phillis Gershator’s beautiful poem is perfect for reading to babies and toddlers and full of plenty of different sounds and delightful rhymes. Alison Jay’s illustrations are vibrant and there is always more to see each time you read. There are some ‘can you spot…’ pages at the end which is always fun to do with little ones at the end of the story. This is definitely a ‘keep forever’ book and would also make a beautiful gift for a baby.

[Gabriella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Panjabi and English. On all pages, both languages are written. the illustrations are very detailed and often framed with white borders. the writing contains rhyming couplets, onomatopoeia, personification. At the end of the book are activities with spot animals in the illustrations and asking what sounds animals make. I think this book is great for introducing the seasons to children. I would recommend this book.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rhyming text tells of the cycle of the seasons. The emphasis is on the sounds of each season.
The illustrations remind me of frescoes.

In the back there's a list of things to look for each season, so you can play a seek & find game in each season.

[UWE Primary English Team]

great book to develop listening to words and pre-reading skills. This has the refrain ‘Listen, listen’ and what follows are the sounds of different seasons us-ing alliteration, onomatopoeia and rhyme.

[Sage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because it teaches the concept of sight and sound to young children. Additonally it’s a very fun and interactive book to read to the students to keep them engaged especially becuase you can do different things with this book.

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book about the seasons has great pictures, information about the sounds of each season in a nice rhyme and an interactive seek and find section for each season at the end.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to see how my French is progressing, and I feel I've come along well but still have lots to learn!

[Harriet Themans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really sweet book, looked at a version with Panjabi translation. Good for EAL children. Framed illustrations.

[Angelina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely way to introduce the seasons! Adding an extra star for Alison Jay’s wonderful illustrations!

[Ashlyn Littlefield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved being able to look for certain things in each season, as well as the different sounds. This would be great for children before bed!

[Bella Herrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read for young children with good illustrations

[Mary Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story in this book is cute, it has a nice rhythm to read aloud. The illustrations are so lovely, divine.

[Christopher Lepage · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rhyme and learn.

[Christine Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

Countdown to Kindergarten: The Four Seasons

Sounds found each season. Not my favorite as it's less story and more concept.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this jaunt through the seasons listening to the unique sounds each season produces. At the end there is an I spy game which my students really enjoy.

[MOLLY · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE love love this book. The pictures are beautiful! The rhyming is fantastic and it takes you through all the seasons. I have given this book to new Moms countless times. Just a great book. 💐🐝🎃❄️ 💙

[André Henriques · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars because it is my language.

[Hailey Licata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Onomonopia, talk about fun stuff!! This book is full of sounds. The illustrations are fun and adorable too (faces in the flowers). Kids would love itttt!

[Céline Otter · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my top favorite for babies and toddlers with beautiful pictures and wonderful rhymes.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book that will encourage your little ones to stop and listen to the world around them! My children really enjoyed the beautiful illustrations.

[John Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Board books should be easy to handle, engaging, and fun. Listen, Listen fits that bill as Barefoot Books enters this market. Readers are encouraged to listen to the seasonal sounds around them, and there are plenty. From the newness of spring to the whispering snowflakes of winter, Alison Jay’s illustrations literally crackle with sound. The movement in the illustrations furthers the theme of listening and the characters are so generic that they overcome what some may interpret as a lack of multiculturalism.

The words are fun and can be easily matched to sounds and their illustrations. The cyclic nature the seasons was used to provide an ending that provided more confusion than clarity on a first reading. The point is necessary, but simplicity is essential.

There is no doubt about it, this is a fun book that can be shared together and then read again and again by a developing reader who embellishes the story with their own seasonal sounds. Add it with confidence to your collection, or buy a copy at any time of the year as a gift for a young reader.

4 out of 5

John Parker
Media Coordinator
Andrews High School
50 HS Drive
Andrews, NC 28901

[Lydia Bussell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book to introduce young readers to the four seasons. They are able to look at the illustrations and listen to the sounds that are common during the seasons and season change. The author does an amazing job with the flow of her rhyming.

[FM Family · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! The rhythm takes some getting used to, it's not a typical cadence. But it really gets stuck in my head. And it does a great job of evoking all the different seasons with Alison Jay's great illustrations that for some reason bring me right back to the 90's. My 18 month old asked for it over and over and over and then one day got sick of it, but I still keep trying to bring it back. Recommend to those who liked "I took the moon for a walk" even though it's a different author. It feels like the daytime cousin to that book.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Follows the various sounds you would hear throughout the year. The illustrations are unique in that they are in different shapes than the standard square (ovals, half moons, etc.), depending on the season. The rhymes and sounds make it a fun read (and perfect for story time). The last 4 pages are like an I Spy book where you look for things in the various seasons (ex. pumpkin, a dragonfly, etc.)

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A new look at the seasons. I like what this book is trying to do, considering the seasons through sounds of things common in that season. It has limited success, however. There are too many cases in which the words are not sounds, and a few of the seasonal things can be heard just as often in other seasons. Still, it's an OK book to add to the repertoire of season stories.