Pura Belpre Honoree Carmen Agra Deedy and Newbery Honor-book author/illustrator Eugene Yelchin have created a powerful tale that celebrates the spirit of freedom. La Paz is a happy, but noisy village. A little peace and quiet would make it just right. So the villagers elect the bossy Don Pepe as their mayor. Before long, singing of any kind is outlawed. Even the teakettle is afraid to whistle!But there is one noisy rooster who doesn't give two mangos about this mayor's silly rules. Instead, he does what roosters were born to do.He sings: "Kee-kee-ree-KEE!" Carmen Deedy's masterfully crafted allegory and Eugene Yelchin's bright, whimsical mixed-media paintings celebrate the spirit of freedom -- and the courage of those who are born to sing at any cost. K-Gr 2—In the village of La Paz, everyone is constantly singing. So much happy noise eventually causes the townspeople to wish for a little peace and quiet. So they throw out the old mayor and bring in Don Pepe, who guarantees change. In a classic "be careful what you wish for" scenario, Don Pepe delivers on his word and successfully makes singing illegal. For seven years the village remains quiet, until along comes a saucy gallito, who happily crows aloud every morning. Angered, Don Pepe makes it his personal mission to silence the rooster once and for all. He takes away the rooster's food, family, and sunlight and even threatens death, but the gallito still crows, "Kee-kee-ree-KEE!" and eventually inspires the rest of La Paz to join him in his triumphant singing. Don Pepe leaves town, and the villagers return to their loud, joyful ways. Told with a storyteller's flair, the narrative reads like a folktale, while Yelchin's mixed-media illustrations are vibrant and perfectly suit the text. VERDICT A fun read-aloud for any library, especially ones looking for stories with Hispanic influence.—Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh Praise for The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet! :*"Deedy's original tale about standing up to oppression couldn't be more timely. Yelchin's saturated, folksy, mixed-media paintings are the perfect partner, fleshing out the characterizations and offering visual humor. This subtle, modern multicultural tale is a must have." -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review*"Deedy uses repeating language to powerful effect, ramping up the stakes while underscoring the gallito's steady determination....Yelchin amplifies themes of protest and injustice in vivid mixed-media caricatures that emphasize the rooster's humble nobility in contrast to Don Pepe's sneering autocratic airs. Like the gallito's cries of 'kee-kee-ree-kee!' Deedy's message about speaking up and speaking out rings as clearly as a bell." -- Publishers Weekly , starred review*"Deedy's original story of the noisy village of La Paz has the feel of a well-told folktale–one with plenty of dry wit... Bright hues and busy page layouts reflect a boisterous La Paz but fade to dull blues and open space when Don Pepe comes into power. Following the narrative arc, the color and energy return with the gallito's arrival and resistance. The story closes with an inspiring author's note encouraging readers and listeners to make themselves heard." -- The Horn Book , starred review Praise for 14 Cows for America by Carmen Deedy; illustrated by Thomas Gonzalez :* "A stirring, heartwarming tale that made headlines when it happened and is now, thankfully, preserved on the page for children." -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review"A moving tale of compassion and generosity." -- Publishers Weekly Praise for The Yellow Star: The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark by Carmen Deedy; illustrated by Henri Sorensen :Christopher Award WinnerJane Addams Children's Book Award Honor BookBologna Ragazzi Award Winner"Vivid and lyrical." -- Publishers Weekly Praise for Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale :Pura Belpre Award HonorInternational Latino Book Awards, 1st PlaceOdyssey Award Honor"Deedy's masterful retelling of this Latino folktale has a rollicking voice imbued with sly tongue-in-cheek humor." -- Booklist "This telling has magic all its own." -- Kirkus Reviews La Paz is a happy, but noisy village. A little peace and quiet would make it just right. So the villagers elect the bossy Don Pepe as their mayor. Before long, singing of any kind is outlawed. Even the teakettle is afraid to whistle! But there is one noisy rooster who doesn't give two mangos about this mayor's silly rules. Instead, he does what roosters were born to do. He sings: "Kee-kee-ree-KEE!" Carmen Deedy's masterfully crafted allegory and Eugene Yelchin's bright, whimsical mixed-media paintings celebrate the spirit of freedom -- and the courage of those who are born to sing at any cost. Carmen Agra Deedy is one of America's foremost storytellers. Her many award-winning books include The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet! ; Martina the Beautiful Cockroach , which received a Pura Belpré Honor