Buzz! Boom! Bang!: The Book of Sounds by Benjamin Gottwald and reviewed by Debra Gantz

Summary: Benjamin Gottwald has stunning illustrations that are colorful, vibrant, and engaging throughout this very long picture book. Some illustrations spread across two pages in one illustration and others are paired in a way that is hysterical to see. I am certain my students will immediately see the intention and provide the noises expected, though Gottwald explains it on the first two pages. I could use this book and its often glorious and sometimes serene illustrations to build community, build vocabulary, teach onomatopoeia, and remind students that reading can be just for the fun of it! I know it is geared toward younger readers, but this one will be shared with all of my elementary grades as it is too good to miss! I will also share this with my art teachers as I am sure they could find more wonder for our students to build from the concept of this book. 

Straight Talk for Librarians: On first look, this is the thickest picture book I have seen since Selznick's The Invention of Hugo Cabaret won the Caldecott Medal. The huge difference is that there are no written words on the illustrations in this picture book. Onomatopoeia gone mad would be one way to explain the engagement I expect to receive from my students when I share this wonderful book. I admit I laughed out loud at several of these and am certain my students of all elementary grades will find it equally appealing. I understand why Gottwald won awards for it in 2022 when it first was released in Germany. I expect it would make a great book for classrooms working on writing exclamations, a shared book in music class (kids could use a music app to create sounds that work for picture pairs), or as a pick me up when laughter and community building is needed. I highly recommend this book!