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"Earmuffle
Avenue is transformed when the Loud family moves in. Pa Loud "bang bangity
bangs" the pots and pans, Ma Loud "clack clackity clacks" her gardening
clippers, Barney Loud "thump thumpity thumps" his basketball, and the baby cries
"WAAAAH!" The ultra-quiet neighbors—Miss Shushermush, Mr. Pitterpatter,
and Miss Meekerton—are at first horrified and then won over by the
cheerful commotion. The story has a satisfying arc, with lively pacing and lots
of humor. Clean white space sets off the appropriately cartoony acrylic paint
and charcoal pencil illustrations. Indeed, this crowd pleaser has it all: noise,
varied and practically nonstop; funny names; a personable goldfish; the word
underwear;
and a huge communal burp as denouement."
"The arrival of a
family transforms a neighborhood in Crimi’s
(
Boris and
Bella
) good-natured tale about
different styles and the rewards of adaptability. On Earmuffle Avenue, the
"quiet neighbors stayed in their quiet homes doing quiet things" until
the Louds move in and shatter the peace. Young readers are likely to delight in
the Louds’ conversations, which, in their depiction of typical family
chaos, may carry a familiar ring. For example, when a neighbor telephones to ask
for quiet:
"
‘Will
someone please answer the
phone?’
‘Who
took the remote for Pete’s sake?’ ‘The baby’s eating the
cat’s food.’ ‘Waah!’
" The neighbors, aptly
named Miss Shushermush, Mr. Pitterpatter and Miss Meekerton, rebuff the
Louds’ friendly overtures, refusing flowers and dinner invitations.
Predictably, however, when the Louds disappear, the old-timers find themselves
unexpectedly missing their cacophonous neighbors and regretting their lost
opportunities. Fortunately, they get another chance. Characters and props appear
in the forefront against white backdrops in Dunnick’s
(
Fearless
Fernie
) paintings, which
capture the neighbors’different temperaments: the Louds appear with open
mouths, outstretched arms and splashily-patterned attire, in contrast to their
hand-clutching, tight-lipped, conservatively clothed (not to mention pin-cushion
and china figurine-collecting) neighbors. Good will triumphs over stylistic
differences, and warmth and good humor abound in this satisfying
tale."