Swish & Squeak’s Noisy Day

Our world is full of noise. We are so used to it that, as adults, we block it out; it is just part of our background. For a child, sounds, noises are new and surprising – and fun. This theme is picked up by Birgitta Sif in her latest picture book. We meet big sister, Swish and little brother, Squeak as they move through the day. Everywhere they go, whatever they do they are accompanied by noises. But who – or what – is making them? This is the underlying game and the young audience will quickly see that we, ourselves, are the source of noise (even if it may be the vroom, vroom of a racing car!) from the moment we get up to the time we are tucked into bed. Sif’s lively lines and clear palette ensure that Swish and Squeak may be mice but are recognisably children; her simple text is an invitation to both adults and children to make noises – and, perhaps, listen out for more. A very attractive picture book from an artist whose distinctive style is fast becoming a fixture on the shelf.