The Rooster said:
"I sing for those who are afraid to sing or have forgotten how."
There is a song that will never disappear,
As long as someone sings it—
Its name is freedom.
La Paz was a very happy but very noisy town. If only it could be a little more peaceful and quiet! So the townsfolk elected Mr. Pepe, who managed everything, as their mayor. Before long, any noisy activity was outlawed. Even teapots dared not make a sound! However, there was a rooster who didn't care about the mayor's silly rules at all. After all, he was just doing what roosters were born to do. He sang loudly: Cock-a-doodle-doo! Carmen Agra Deedy's wonderfully nuanced fable and Eugene Yelchin's bright and humorous mixed-media illustrations celebrate the spirit of freedom and the courage to make a sound, no matter the cost.
Features of this book
★★★Profound寓意 under a childlike story★★★
Carmen Agra Deedy's rhythmic and humorous text, coupled with Eugene Yelchin's charming and rich illustrations, present us with a unique picture book—the story is so bright, yet the meaning is so profound. Most valuable of all, it hasn't lost the essence of a picture book, revealing the true meaning of freedom and justice to every reader with a childlike touch. The La Paz portrayed in this book is a microcosm of every society; its story is fictional yet real, an allegory written for everyone, reminding us never to give up our vigilance against power, our concern for injustice, and our pursuit of freedom.
★★★Sing out your inner voice★★★
Carmen Agra Deedy wrote in the book: "(Children) are born with loud, true, irrepressible voices. Then, gradually, most people learn to refine their opinions, censor their beliefs, and hide their voices."
For many, growing up seems to be a continuous process of "polishing," grinding away sharp edges, grinding away sincerity, grinding away uniqueness; learning to conform, learning to obey, learning to hide one's true feelings. However, sometimes a small but sincere voice is enough to bring about immense change. The key is simply having the courage to express it.
This is a story about holding onto one's beliefs, telling every child and adult to listen to their inner voice. In the face of stormy weather, be a confidently singing rooster, and perhaps you can bring a little more hope and courage to the world.
★★★Connecting with social issues, unearthing the profound value of picture books★★★
In recent years, the global situation has been turbulent. Issues such as religion, race, human rights, and refugees no longer seem to be just terms in social studies textbooks but appear daily in newspapers, news, and even our lives. How can we help children, and even more people, understand these seemingly serious issues? Picture books, being primarily "visual," are undoubtedly an excellent entry point. The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet! is a "thematic" picture book. It is lively, humorous, and highly inspiring. Most importantly, it is close to people's hearts. Every reader can find a reflection of their society within it, and see the human brilliance of pursuing freedom in the protagonist rooster.
International acclaim
☆Winner of the SCBWI Golden Kite Honor Books for Picture Book Text
☆Winner of the NCTE Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for Children
☆Winner of the Latino Literacy Now’s International Latino Book Awards for Best Children’s Picture Book (English)
☆Selected as a Best Picture Book of the Year by Kirkus Reviews
☆Selected as a Best Picture Book of the Year by Publisher’s Weekly
☆Selected as a Best Picture Book of the Year by School Library Journal
☆Selected as a Best Picture Book of the Year by The Horn Book
☆Selected as a Best Picture Book of the Year by The Huffington Post
☆Selected as a Best Children’s Book of the Year by the New York Public Library
☆Selected as a Best Children’s Book of the Year by the Chicago Public Library
☆Selected as one of the 101 Best Books for Kids by the Evanston Public Library
☆Selected as a Best Children’s Book of the Year by Amazon
☆Nominated for the ALSC Notable Children’s Books
☆Nominated for the Charter Oak Children’s Book Award
☆Nominated for the Rhode Island Children’s Book Award
☆Finalist for the Georgia Children’s Picture Book Award
☆Nearly 5-star ultra-high rating on Amazon
☆Nearly a thousand ultra-high ratings on the influential review site Goodreads
★Ages 4-8 for shared reading, ages 8 and up for independent reading
