From the Newbery Medal winning author of Seedfolks , Paul Fleischman, Joyful Noise is a collection of irresistible poems that celebrates the insect world. Funny, sad, loud, and quiet, each of these poems resounds with a booming, boisterous, joyful noise. The poems resound with the pulse of the cicada and the drone of the honeybee. Eric Beddows′s vibrant drawings send each insect soaring, spinning, or creeping off the page in its own unique way. Paul Fleischman has created not only a fascinating guide to the insect world but an exultant celebration of life. “Fleischman steps imaginatively inside each insect. Beddows uses lively pencil drawings that are well composed, precise, and witty.” - ALA Booklist “Imaginative.” - Publishers Weekly Written to be read aloud by two voices--sometimes alternating, sometimes simultaneous--here is a collection of irresistible poems that celebrate the insect world, from the short life of the mayfly to the love song of the book louse. Funny, sad, loud, and quiet, each of these poems resounds with a booming, boisterous, joyful noise. In this remarkable volume of poetry for two voices, Paul Fleischman verbally re-creates the "Booming/boisterious/joyful noise" of insects. The poems resound with the pulse of the cicada and the drone of the honeybee. Eric Beddows's vibrant drawings send each insect soaring, spinning, or creeping off the page in its own unique way. A clear and fascinating guide to the insect world--from chrysalid butterflies to whirligig beetles-- and an exultant celebration of life. Ages 6+ Paul Fleischman 's novels, poetry, picture books, and nonfiction are known for innovation and multiple viewpoints. He received the Newbery Medal for Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices and a Newbery Honor for Graven Images, and he was a National Book Award finalist for Breakout.  His books bridging the page and stage include Bull Run, Seek, and Mind's Eye.  For the body of his work, he's been the United States nominee for the international Hans Christian Andersen Award. He lives in California. www.paulfleischman.net. Eric Beddows was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. He illustrated Shadow Play and the Newbery Medal-winning Joyful Noise and its companion,  I Am Phoenix (the latter under the name of Ken Nutt), all by Paul Fleischman. He has many one-man shows of his art and received numerous grants and awards for excellence. Other children’s books he’s illustrated include The Cave of Snores by Dennis Haseley and Who Shrank My Grandmother’s House? by Barbara Juster Esbensen. He lives in Stratford, Ontario.