Picture Books Are for Grown-Ups Too!
Picture books aren’t just for children. Picture books are for grown-ups too! Listen in as we speak with picture book authors, illustrators, and enthusiasts about how these stories contribute to human thriving. Discover how picture books can affirm our experiences, introduce us to new perspectives, serve as conversation starters, foster meaningful reflection, and give us words to make sense of the world! Ultimately, you’re never too old for a great picture book AND these tiny tales can lead to big connection! Join us for the journey, and discover something that might contribute to YOUR thriving.
Picture Books Are for Grown-Ups Too!
S2E10 | Gabriele Davis and 'Our Joyful Noise'
Gabriele Davis and Our Joyful Noise
“The book honors those ancestors who struggled and sacrificed and stood up to make this family’s joy possible.” –Gabriele Davis
Today we’re talking about sound and song and celebration of the joyful noises that fill our family’s lives.
Today’s Picture Book: Our Joyful Noise written by Gabriele Davis and illustrated by Craig Stanley
Gabriele Davis welcomes the sounds, songs and rhythms that flow through her days in the Northwest Corner of Connecticut, where she writes, bikes and reflects on the childhood memories that fire her imagination. The memory of her dad singing spirituals to Gabriele and her brothers at bedtime gave rise to OUR JOYFUL NOISE (Atheneum). Gabriele enjoys creating works that delight, inspire, empower and reflect all children. Visit her at www.gabrieledavis.com.
Book Description: A joyful, jazzy picture book following a Black family through a week of shared moments and simple pleasures, woven through with hidden musical jewels from spirituals and songs.
We move to the sounds
that FLOW through our days.
Soft sounds, low sounds, LOUD sounds,
slow sounds.
Joyful, NOISEFUL, soulful sounds.
OUR sounds.
For this loving family, each moment of the day is filled with music, from the moment they wake to the sound of Mama humming them into a happy day as she plop plop plops berries into oatmeal, to bedtime when Daddy soothes them to sleep, strong hands smoothing brows, warm and slow, sweet chariots swinging low.
Please consider supporting your local independent booksellers by purchasing Our Joyful Noise. Find a store here: https://www.indiebound.org/
Other mentions in this episode:
Whale Fall by Melissa Stewart and illustrated by Rob Dunlavey
Onomatopoeia
Our Joyful Noise playlist on Spotify
Rendition of His Eye is On the Sparrow that Gabriele just loves!
Questions/Activities for further engagement based on the discussion:
1. What is the playlist of my life? What are the songs and sounds that inspire me or comfort me or bring me joy? What are the songs that inspire me? Or help me when I’m sad?
2. Can you make a playlist on Spotify and then share it?
3. Discuss with others: What would happen if we made a real effort to great each morning with an attitude of joyful expectation? How might that effect the course of our day? How do we cultivate that mindset?
Find Gabriele:
Website: www.gabrieledavis.com
Facebook: @GabrieleDavisAuthor
Instagram: @IamGabrieleD
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Ripening Time, Patrice's 2nd picture book, releases April 22, 2025. Order your copy from your local bookstore or one of Patrice's local bookstores!
Also, please visit the podcast’s bookshop.org page for a complete list of books discussed!
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