The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet! - by Carmen Agra Deedy (Hardcover)

About the Book

"The mayor of the noisy city of La Paz institutes new laws forbidding all singing, but a brave little rooster decides he must sing, despite the progressively severe punishments he receives for continuing to crow"--

Book Synopsis

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.

From the Back Cover

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.

Review Quotes

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 reviewPraise 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 WeeklyPraise 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 WeeklyPraise 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

About the Author

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; and her New York Times bestseller 14 Cows for America. Carmen was born in Havana, Cuba, and lives with her family in Atlanta, Georgia. You can learn more about her work at carmenagradeedy.com.
Eugene Yelchin loves to create books that explore the boundaries of universal truth. He is the author and illustrator of the Newbery Honor book Breaking Stalin's Nose, as well as the illustrator of many distinguished, award-winning picture books. These include Won Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku by Lee Wardlaw, and Elephant in the Dark, retold by Mina Javaherbin. Born in Russia, Eugene now lives in Topanga, California, with his wife and their two children. Visit him at eugeneyelchinbooks.com.