Noisy Night
What’s inside...
It's a noisy night in this city building! The residents of each floor can hear their neighbors above them, and are wondering what's going on above their heads. Climb floor by floor and page by page to find out whose singing, dancing, cheering, and cooing are keeping a grumpy old man awake. With innovative split-level spreads that offer the feeling of climbing an apartment building floor by floor, this clever and colorful collaboration between New York Times bestselling author Mac Barnett and gifted illustrator Brian Biggs offers an irresistible investigation of one noisy night.
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think is making all the different noises on each floor of the building?
How do you imagine the people and animals feel when they hear the noises?
If you lived in this building, what sounds would you like to hear? What sounds would you make?
Why do you think the noises change from floor to floor?
How do the pictures help tell the story of the noises at night?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading each page, ask your child to guess what kind of noise they might hear next. This builds anticipation and engagement.
If possible, mimic the noises in the book together. This can be a fun and interactive way to connect with the story.
Discuss the different characters’ reactions to the noises. This encourages empathy and understanding of different perspectives.
After reading, have a quiet moment to think about what noises you hear around your own home. This can help bridge the connection between the book and your child's environment.
Encourage your child to create their own 'noisy night' story with different characters and sounds, which promotes creativity and storytelling skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Community Awareness
Explanation: Noisy Night showcases different sounds heard at each floor of an apartment building, creating a rhythmic exploration of community living.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize and appreciate the diverse activities and habits of neighbors, fostering a sense of community and coexistence.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Exploration
Explanation: The book follows a curious little boy who climbs each floor to explore the source of various sounds, illustrating the natural inquisitiveness of children.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore their surroundings and satisfy their curiosity in a respectful and safe manner, which is crucial for cognitive development.
Example Lesson: Listening Skills
Explanation: As each noise is introduced from the different levels of the building, listeners are prompted to guess what’s making the sound, enhancing auditory discrimination skills.
Real-World Application: Helps children develop keen listening skills which are vital in understanding and processing information effectively in daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Sequential Thinking
Explanation: The structured progression of sounds from floor to floor teaches children to think in a logical sequence.
Real-World Application: This can enhance problem-solving skills and help in following directions and storytelling in their academic and social life.
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: The boy's journey to find the source of each noise teaches patience as he waits to discover each new sound.
Real-World Application: Promotes patience in children as they learn that sometimes waiting is necessary to achieve understanding or discover something new.