Holler Loudly

by Cynthia Leitich Smith, Cynthia Leitich Smith

Holler Loudly has a voice as big as the southwestern sky, and everywhere he goes, people tell him to "Hush!" From math class to the movies and even the state fair, Holler's LOUD voice just keeps getting him into trouble. But when a huge tornado comes twisting into town, Holler (with that voice of his!) saves the day. Readers will cheer for this rollicking story about celebrating our unique gifts, and Barry Gott's bright, fun illustrations will have you hollering for more.

Genres: Picture Books, Humor, Childrens, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published November 11, 2010

About the author

Cynthia Leitich Smith is a bestselling, acclaimed author of books for all ages, including Here Come the Aunties!, Firefly Season, Jingle Dancer, Indian Shoes, On a Wing and a Tear, Sisters of the Neversea, the Blue Stars series (with Kekla Magoon), Rain Is Not My Indian Name, Harvest House, and Hearts Unbroken, winner of the American Indian Youth Literature Award. She is also the anthologist of Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids and Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories, which won both the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature and the American Indian Youth Literature Award. Cynthia has received the American Library Association’s Children’s Literature Lecture Award, been named the NSK Neustadt Laureate, and is the author-curator of Heartdrum, a Native-focused imprint at HarperCollins Children’s Books. She is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation and lives in Denton, Texas.

Reviews

[Carolynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Contemporary tall tale, like Granite Baby by Lynne Bertrand and Sitka Rose by Shelley Gill, set in today's Southwest. Texas is my guess, since that is where the author lives. The eponymous hero has a big voice, a REALLY big voice. He upsets people with his loud voice. (He reminds me just a little of my ex-husband, a pastor who, when he sang in church or elsewhere, made our then baby son cry.) But Holler's voice is so loud that when he enters a hog-calling contest, he shuts down the entire fair. However, he redeems himself when he is able to dissipate a tornado with his "absolutely, positively, knee-shakin', earth-quakin' loud" voice (p.26). This book would make an excellent read-aloud in library or classroom, with plenty of opportunity for dramatic reading (very dramatic). The language is lively and rhythmic, and the illustrations are bright and dynamic. The story is a parable (not overstated) that might come in handy if there is a loud, disruptive child in the classroom. But it is not a good choice for bedtime reading!
No lexile measure is available.
An aside: I do hope that Smith, a Creek Indian, will write more books growing out of her Native American roots, like Jingle Dancer and Rain Is Not My Indian Name.

[Mkittysamom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this to my 5 year old son, the Hollering was fun! It teaches an awesome lesson about listening as well as being funny. Coming from a home full of boys as the only woman.. they are all LOUD and I felt like this particular book was perfect for us.. I even made his Dad who “Hollers” read it.. My son could compare with real life incidents as a bonus.. he hollers too and has yet to learn whispering or not yelling all the time.. but this book helped. He picked it out himself and was very excited for me to read it. He also enjoyed reading, I would have him read Momma, Daddy, Holler and a few other words..and he laughed as I said them in funny voices.. the “Yee Haw” and “Yippee..” we’re favorites!

[Aolund · Rating 4 out of 5]

A funny and engaging modern tall tale about knowing when to be quiet and when to be loud.

[Crystal Collier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a Holler in my family, so this was a particularly fun read. It was also the book my daughter requested to be read EVERY night for a while, so I know it was a hit with her too.

[J♤Đ£ · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book to yell-read to my kids.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read at Reedsburg Public Library in Wisconsin

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holler Loudly was born loud. Every few generations, one of the Loudlys is unusually loud. But as he grows, everybody thinks he is too loud. He gets kicked out of the movie theatre, he disrupts class, scares the fish away. But maybe one day that loud voice can come in handy. The story is wonderfully written and illustrated. It will be enjoyed in our house again and again and I am sure in yours also, especially as the children try to copy Holler's loud outbursts.

[Dree Kinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holler Loudly by Cynthia Leitich Smith is a fun book for children to read. It is about a young boy that is told to "hush" by everyone in his town. A lot of kids can relate to this because they are probably often told by their parents to quiet down while they are in public places. Smith does a great job throughout the text of emphasizing the times that Holler is loud and obnoxious to the people around him. She enlarges and bolds the text so the reader can tell how often holler is being loud.

Smith also does a wonderful job with the illustrations in the book. There are a lot of people on each page, and she does a great job with making each and every one of them different. Each person looks different, and they are all wearing different types of clothes. The reader can tell the amount of time and effort that Smith put into the illustrations through this. It is important to include fine detail like this when illustrating a children's book, because that is what they notice the most. Overall, Holler Loudly is a fun and entertaining book for kids to read. It uses repetitive words and phrases, which engages young readers.

[Sarah W · Rating 3 out of 5]

The town gives Holler a great reward, but I am definitely biased. Who wouldn't want a library statue? #picturebookparty #hollerloudly.
24 Mar Favorite Reply Delete
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Sarah W.
pageintraining Sarah W.
Points to the book for using the word skedaddle #picturebookparty #hollerloudly


The first sentence well sets the mood for this book: Mama & Daddy Loudly named their baby Holler because he cried so loud. The baby cried so loud "the armadillos work from their naps and the turkey vultures dropped their feathers. No matter what his parents tried, Holler could not hush, could not be quiet.

Holler likes his loud voice and wishes others didn't mind it, even though he can flatten hair and send giant waves. This tall tale takes on new proportions when a tornado threatens, and Holler puts his talent to good use. The town gives Holler a great reward, but I am definitely biased. Who wouldn't want a library statue?

I love the old west theme of the pictures and Holler's exclamations of "Yipee Ti Yi Yo! I love Math!"

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holler Loudly comes from a family where one lucky Loudly baby is just born loud and Holler is that one. Ever since he was a baby, he can cause chaos with his unnatural and powerful cries of sound. Everyone has always tried to "hush" Holler, but to no avail. No one appreciates his loud outbursts when he likes something in particular such as "Yippee Ti Yi Yo! I Love Math!" and "Yee Haw! I Love Movies!". While visiting the state fair with his family, Holler is the only one who notices what looks like a rainstorm ends up becoming a tornado. Holler threatens the tornado to leave his town and the tornado becomes a "thousand teeny breezes". Holler is not only the loudest boy in history but is now a local hero. In honor of his hero-like act, the town renames the public library, "Holler Loudly Public Library - Please Hush".

This could be used as a read-aloud book to read for preschoolers or kindergarteners. Throughout the story, the phrase, "so LOUD..." could act as a cue for children to say aLOUD as well as the bold and colorful phrases Holler exclaims for children to repeat.

[Tima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holler was born into the Loudly family. He was named Holler because he cried so loud when he was a baby. Be as he grew, so did his voice. He was so loud that he shook the tress, messed up family moments and annoyed people. His parents tried to get him to be quiet, but every once in a while a baby is born into the Loudly family that is just plain loud. And nothing his parents did or said could get Holler to be quiet. But one day a very strange thing happens and Holler learns that there is a time to be loud and a time to be quiet.

My kids absolutely love this book. And I'll admit, I do too. The illustrations are hilarious and fit perfectly with the story. The exaggerations in the story made my kids laugh. But it also gets a subtle message across about having times for quiet and times for loud. This is something a mother can really appreciate. This book is one of our top favorites, especially when read in the appropriate voices.

[Christina Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holler Loudly is a tall tale which proves that everything truly is bigger in Texas, even voices. Every few generations a Loudly baby is born with an enormous voice, and Holler is the newest inductee to this hall of fame. The good townsfolk shush Holler everywhere he goes until one day he realizes the value of quiet. However, soon thereafter, they learn to appreciate Holler’s gift when he saves the town using his innate ability to quell a dangerous force of nature. Holler’s adventure is depicted in bright, colorful, full-bleed, double-page spreads that mirror the characters’ magnitude—whether it be the protagonists’ volume, the townsfolks’ ire, or everyone’s jubilation. As Holler Loudly is a story about a larger-than-life Texas boy who travels throughout the town building toward his epiphany, it could be used to introduce episodic adventures like Homer’s Odyssey.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will admit, when I first saw this book, I thought I wouldn't like it at all. I didn't like the cover, the whole thing didn't appeal to me. But since reading it, and especially since reading it aloud in storytime, I have completely changed my mind. I'm always looking for good, funny, repetitive books that will hook even the littlest kids' attention, and Holler Loudly seemed to do it. It tells the story of a boy who's born loud and is always getting chastised and thrown out of places that he likes, but when a tornado rolls through town, his loud voice makes it dissipate and he becomes a town hero.
The illustrations are bold and distinctive and the text styling is compelling, too. I'm glad I gave this one a second chance.

[Savannah Harpster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holler Loudly is about a boy that has a super big voice. His voice is so big that everywhere he goes the towns people tell him to “Hush!” But, Holler can’t help himself, it’s just who he is. He comes from a very long line of Loudly babies that were just born loud. Holler was just lucky enough to get such a voice. However, Holler is having trouble finding a way not to get on peoples nerves. This book here is great for any child learning their outside voice from their inside voice even when to use it. This will come in handy especially for classroom atmospheres where children have a hard time paying and attention as well as listening. This will show children how to use their voice and where to use it at.

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Holler Loudly is a Southwest take on the classic children’s fable of the misfit whose unusual qualities end up coming in handy to rescue the folks who once criticized him.

Holler Loudly is a pint-sized loudmouth whose tremendous voice seems to cause havoc every time he speaks. There’s a lot of Western flavor in this story; youngsters who are unfamiliar with the sayings and culture of the region may need a few passages clarified.

Veg*n parents note: Holler goes on a fishing trip (his loud voice scaring away the fish before he can catch any) and also causes a stampede while at a livestock fair.

[Tricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lively art suppports this tall tale about Holler Loudly who simply cannot be quiet and irritates those around him. This reminded me of a friend I had who talked so loudly in public about private matters that I would try to melt into the surroundings. But I digress...I wasn't "feeling" this one 100% but enjoyed it enough. With the right reader/storyteller, the story would come alive for an audience.

[jacky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This summer's theme for preschooler story time is tales from around the world. Today's installment focused on tall tales, with several American tales. Holler Loudly is a great example of a tall tale. Natalie stuck around for most of the story, but wasn't exactly listening. But, the preschool crowd were plugged in. I thought it was a fun story idea, especially since kids in general tend to be loud. A nice little moral about why its sometimes good to have quite was tucked in at the end.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Loudly family have a son who yells so loudly that they name him Holler. Holler yells all the time. He's kicked out of the movie theater, his classroom and repeatedly told to hush at the county fair. He finally redeems himself when he hollers at an approaching tornado to "skedaddle." He is then made the town hero. The final picture is a bit disturbing as it is a library with a sign that says "hush." Thanks for the stereotype.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holler Loudly is a happy kid who hollers about everything. It annoys everyone around him until he saves the town from a tornado. I think this is more of a 3-star book, but I've been reading it to students in grades 1 & 2 and they really love it (pushing it toward 4 stars). Clear your throat and get ready to holler if you're gonna read it out loud!

Doing a Reader's Workshop lesson on reading with expression? This would be an excellent mentor text.

[Stephanie Croaning · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a contemporary tall tale that teaches the lesson that sometimes you need to be "quiet at quiet times and loud at loud times." Barry Gott's illustrations are bright and loud and fit the story just right. This would make a really fun read-aloud for younger children, and would be also work well to supplement a tall tale genre lesson.

[Donalyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every few years, one of the Loudlys is born louder than the rest. Young Holler, can't help how loud he is, and he wishes everyone would accept him for the way he is. When a tornado threatens the town, his unique voice comes in handy.

[The Library Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've wavered between 3 and 4 stars, but this is closer to a 4 than a 3. A little bit of a morality fable feel, but the storytelling is good enough and humorous enough to avoid Berenstain Bears syndrom....

[Mandy Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

a little boy,Holler, just doesn't know how to be quiet. Everyone is exhausted and tired of it. One day he finally really gets his feeling hurt and is quiet, but then there is an emergency and he needs to use his big voice. As my kids are all pretty loud we really had fun with this book

[Liz Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

When is it a good time to be loud? When is it not a good idea to be loud? How do others feel when you are loud at the wrong time?

Funny! Kids loved it and it fit perfectly for reading workshop launch.

[Char Hight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Holler is the main character in this story. He is different and stands out in a very LOUD way. This is a good book to reiterate noise level control: indoor voices and outdoor voices. The illustrations are filled with color, lines, and shape. Grades K-2.

[Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

I SO resemble Holler Loudly. My library was always a rather noisy place, I'm afraid.

I am playing with this to see if it would work as a reader's theater.
Very fun.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. Nice pictures. The kids enjoyed it. If I hadn't read it at bedtime, maybe we could've gotten in to it a little more

[Tina B · Rating 3 out of 5]

loud/soft, western theme

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 4 year old loved it! Very clever book.

[Brittany Harrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read-aloud. The kids loved being prompted to speak quietly or loudly when the bold words "hush" and "loud" were displayed in the story. The illustrations were crowd pleasing as well.