OUR JOYFUL NOISE

Beloved Black spirituals and other songs have inspired this picture book centered on cherishing the soulful, jazzy sounds of everyday family life.

“We move to the sounds / that FLOW through our days.” Laced with onomatopoeia, the story follows a multigenerational suburban Black family over the course of a week, from home to school to the park, and more. The children awaken to Mama humming “as she / PLOP, PLOP, PLOPS / fresh-picked berries into the pot,” while their feet make a “PUMPA, PUMPA, PUMPA” sound as they race to the school bus. Stanley’s realistic digitally rendered illustrations depict warm, immersive scenes of a soul food family dinner, Sunday church service, and a father soothing his children into a good night’s rest. Davis concludes with an annotated bibliography of sorts, spotlighting some of the songs that are sampled throughout: “Oh Happy Day,” “My Favorite Things,” “Wade in the Water,” and the relatively more recent “Joy in My Soul.” Driven by the harmonious and graceful notes of Black social life, the narrative focuses on moments of shared joys certain to help this family through even the most challenging times.

Music has a message, and in this charming tale, the message is love.