Sounding Joy

by Ellie Holcomb, Laura Ramos (Illustrator)

What does joy sound like?

Does it sound like falling snow, or a kiss on your cheek? Award-winning recording artist explores this question through a delightful collection of Christmastime scenes, leading up to the discovery that joy sounds like the angels singing that Jesus had been born.

will be releasing children’s music as a companion to this board book. Her sweet and lovely celebration of Christmas encourages each reader, young and old, to lift up their voice and repeat sounding joy!

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Genres: Christmas, Picture Books, Childrens, Christian, Holiday, Inspirational, Animals

24 pages, Board Book

Published September 20, 2022

Reviews

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book opens asking what kinds of things bring joy, and then talks about the amazing joy that Jesus' birth brought on the first Christmas.

The heart of this book is beautiful and the illustrations are adorable. I have really loved all of Holcomb's books to date. I read an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley of this and have recommended to the publisher that 2 lines be changed before publication. One talked about Jesus being born on a winter's night which most Bible scholars believe is not historically accurate, and the second was a line saying we put up Christmas lights to remind us of the shining of the angels as they announced Jesus' birth to the shepherds. I think a lot of Christian families might have issues with that as in most Christian homes Christmas lights symbolize Jesus as the light of the world, not the angels (and really the source of their light was the glory of God). Hopefully they can change those 2 things before going to print because if they do so it'll be an amazing little Christmas book with a solid Christian message of Jesus being the source of joy and why we talk about joy so much as Christmas time.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Emilee (emileereadsbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and B&H Kids for a free digital copy.

A beautiful book in both message and visually about what joy is. Simple enough for kids to understand without diluting the message of the joy brought to earth at Christmas through the birth of Jesus.

[Rachael Hodson (still skiing) · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have tiny little believers, this is a very cute board book. Adorable pictures and a perfect little message about the true meaning of Christmas. I am adding it to my collection.

[Relyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet. This would be a good book-as-a-card for a baby shower.

[Laura Paik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this every night with my 3 year old. Beautiful illustrations and words! Pair it with the song. Even better! Perfect for the season.

[Ali C · Rating 5 out of 5]

My family has loved Ellie Holcomb’s childrens books, they are some of our favorites to read and to give away! Sounding Joy did not disappoint. She addresses the Christmas story within the context of celebrating the Christmas season. The illustrations allow us to see the manger scene as well as modern towns decorated with candy canes and Christmas trees. With a lot of children’s Christmas books, it seems like you must choose between the manger story and modern celebrations, but I really appreciate how this book shows the child that both can go together. I’m anticipating that there might be a song that correlates with the words written on the pages & if so can’t wait to hear it,

Thank you to net galley for providing and ARC in exchange for an honest review..

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

First sentence: What does joy sound like? Is it quiet like snow? Does joy sound like the laughter of friends that you know? Is joy like the sound of a kiss on your cheek? Or like holding your breath when you play hide and seek?

Premise/plot: Ellie Holcomb's Sounding Joy is a holiday [Christmas] board book to read aloud to little ones. [I say little ones, but it's also perfectly suitable for the whole family to share together]. It begins by asking readers--or listeners, I suppose--to think about what JOY looks like, sounds like, feels like. What is joy LIKE? It then goes on to share the nativity story of Jesus Christ. That was the full expression of joy. And it is packed with promises that are ever-relevant. Reminders that JOY, inexpressible, resounding, repeating JOY are yet to come. Every Christmas is a reminder of not only what has been fulfilled, but what is coming still.

My thoughts: I definitely enjoyed this one. I loved the art by Laura Ramos. I liked the connections. I liked that it isn't just one or the other. There is a strong connection between what happened in Bethlehem and our present lives. Our joy is found IN Jesus our savior. There is reason to celebrate, rejoice, give thanks, every single day because of Jesus.

I would have reviewed this one in December of 2022 if my library hold had come in. I am reviewing it now because why wait until next December???

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

A simple, quick read. I thought it was going to be about things in life that brought joy, but it took a turn and got really religious which I wasn’t expecting. It shares the real meaning of the holiday and the bright angels in the sky the night Jesus was born, and that’s why we shine lights, and Jesus was sent to give us a home, repeat the sounding joy. It didn’t start off like it would end this way.

The rhyming failed a lot. Sometimes it didn’t even come close to rhyming, while sometimes it hit right on the mark. It was jarring and I didn’t like when the rhyming fell apart. Not as pleasant that way.

The illustrations are very cute. The cover has a lot of texture. I could have spent a while just looking at everything on the pages, colorful with detail and adorable style.

[Abigail Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only does this picture book have the cutest pictures but it has the best Christmas story. Perfect for a kiddo and family Christmas read.

When I saw that Ellie Holcomb had a book coming out even though it's a children's book I knew I needed to see if my family would like it, and I was not disappointed. I highly recommend you check it out.

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary e-book or physical copy of this book which I received from the author and/or publisher or blog tour coordinator All views expressed are only my honest opinion and are in no way influenced by others' views or wishes.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sounding Joy is an adorable children's book about what joy sounds like. It goes through some cute ideas with children ice skating, sledding, and playing Hide and Seek. Then it turns to the story of Christmas and our Savior's birth. The book starts off with rhyming sentences but the rhymes are wonky in the middle. To me it messes with the flow of the story. It's slightly jarring to read but the illustrations are especially beautiful!! All in all a beautiful religious Christmas book to share with your kids!!

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Sounding Joy by Ellie Holcomb! Sounding Joy is beautifully illustrated and written. Sounding Joy builds with different sounds that are made to the sounds the Angels made when Jesus was born. Sounding Joy continues to build by showing us how we (can) celebrate and worship Jesus during the holiday season and always. I highly recommend Sounding Joy to add to your Christmas library. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. My review is also on Goodreads.

[Jessica Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely Christmas book. It’s a quick and easy book for kids that not only gets us to look at what may bring us everyday joy, but in Christmas time, it’s a reminder of what joy we’ve been given by God. The illustrations I thought were wonderful. Really fun to look at and to read, nice rhythm and rhyme and an overall great story. Would definitely recommend this to other friends and family.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

[GK Bancroft · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet new book for the Christmas season that poses the question, what does it mean to repeat a sounding joy? What does joy sound like? Ellie Holcomb speaks to the inquisitive soul of children (and adults alike) by asking more questions than giving answers. She speaks to the imagination and beauty of the season. I am looking forward to reading this book with children at Christmas time! Thank you for the ARC copy to review.

[Christopher O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very sweet Christmas Story.

I loved the rhymes and the illustrations were very good. I loved how the coloring complemented the season.

I really liked that kids of colors and with disabilities were represented in the book.

The religious component wasn’t heavy and I appreciated it. A very sweet story!

[Flora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really sweet, exuberant and colourfully illustrated book about the joys of Christmas and what it means. The children are seen interacting with animals and some details invite a closer look.

This would make a nice little volume to share with a young child, together with more explanations why Jesus had to come perhaps.

4 and a half stars from me.

[Carmen Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful! The wording is fantastic, and the story is so perfect for the Christmas Season. The illustrations are the perfect companion to the story. The obvious harmony between man and animals, the earth, and the heavens above. Will be adding this to our family Christmas shelf!

Thank you NetGalley & B&H Publishing Group (B&H Books, Holman Bibles, B&H Español, and B&H Kids) for the ARC

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of Ellie Holcomb's children books and was excited to see she wrote a Christmas one! The illustrations are so cute and book is so sweet. The book starts by explaining what joy may sound like and then goes back to our ultimate source of joy whose birth was proclaimed by the angels (with joy)! A must add to your Christmas book collection!

[Sarah Poling · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet book asks the listener what is the sound of joy? and it makes some great suggestions, and then explains about the night of Christ's birth and the rejoicing that goes with it. I'm thinking of how I might use it for a multi-age Christmas group lesson on Dec. 24th. Using joy as the theme and it's true source. We'll see!

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This holiday picture book talks about the idea of sounding joy. With a number of fun activities and religious scenes pictured, this book will make a lovely addition to a family’s Christmas book collection. I would recommend this to parents of children in the age 4-7 range who celebrate Christmas.

[Ashley Hoss · Rating 4 out of 5]

An adorable book that gives a little bit about Christmas, though admittedly it doesn’t actually tell about the birth of Jesus. There is also one small picture of a baby intended to be Jesus, just a heads up for those that have a conviction against that. Another one that would be good for kids under 6.

[Cherish Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

(5☆ Would recommend & would read again)
Such a cute book. Ellie Holcomb does not disappoint. All of her children's books are favorites around my house. This one is a new Christmas favorite! I highly recommend.

[Carolyn Bascon]

A really great Christmas book for kids. 4 stars because I can't get over that the book never names Jesus (only refers to "God's son"). That's gotta be a priority in a Christian book about Christmas, I think.

[Jennie Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute pictures! Sweet story, but very simple. Good for very young kids.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance e-copy. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

[Karen Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet children’s picture book invites you to enjoy the childlike wonder of Christmas!
I enjoyed looking through it.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely, lyrical, biblical. Just as the angels heralding the birth of Christ repeated their sounds of joy, so this book will be read and enjoyed over and over again.

[Rebecca Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet retelling of the night Jesus was born and how his birth brings us joy. I loved the rhyming cadence.

[Sarah Piper · Rating 5 out of 5]

An adorable board book for Christmas. I love that this incorporates modern Christmas celebrations with the real reason for Christmas. Well done.

[Kyle McQuinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this to the kids as part of our Christmas Eve service at the church that I serve at. Cute little book with a great message.

[Lauren Shelton | Cowtown Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great kids book about the true story of Christmas. This is such a fun book to read because it’s very rhythmic!

[E & E’s Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful song goes with the text and paired with adorable illustrations