1. Babies
2. Board books
3. Daily life
4. Singing
5. Sound
6. Toys

Most babies have excellent hearing and are attracted to the everyday sounds adults take for granted. Sally Rippin’s book ‘What’s that Noise?’ and illustrated by Lorette Broekstra was first published in 2008. In 2021 the Indigenous Literary Foundation published this edition in Kriol.

Each double page spread highlights the rhythmic sounds of everyday life including a baby crying, a dog barking or washing flapping in the breeze with the sounds stated in one simple phrase, ‘That’s the baby crying’, or ‘That’s the puppy barking’. The illustrations are clear, simple and colourful and invite discussion of the possible origins of the sounds in the objects shown. The inclusion of a culturally diverse range of babies adds to its value

The book is engaging and ideal to share with very young children prompting discussion of the objects and the various sounds.

Note that there is an English-language version of this book. The title is ‘What’s That Noise?’, published by Allen & Unwin in 2008.

1. Book Club Reviews 23 February 2024 My Little Bookcase review of ‘What’s that Noise? By Sally Rippin https://www.mylittlebookcase.com.au/whats-that-noise-by-sally-rippin/
2. Indigenous Literacy Foundation Community Publishing Indigenous Literacy Foundation Community Publishing.
3. ABC News 8 February 2024. ‘Australia’s highest-selling female author Sally Rippin named new Children’s Laureate, and she has an important mission.’ Discusses the author’s concern about children with difficulties reading. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-08/sally-rippin-billie-b-brown-author-australian-childrens-laureate/103439676