HOLLER LOUDLY by Cynthia Leitich Smith, illustrated by Barry Gott (Dutton, 2010)(OP). Ages 4-up.
Holler Loudly has a voice as big as the Southwestern sky, and everywhere he goes people tell him to “Hush!” From math class to the movies and even the state fair, Holler’s LOUD voice just keeps getting on people’s nerves.
But Holler can’t help himself—being loud is who he is!
Will Holler ever find a way to let loose his voice—without getting into trouble?
HOLLER LOUDLY is out of print. Look for copies at libraries and used bookstores.
- Featured Title, 2010 Texas Book Festival
- Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
- Finalist, Writers’ League of Texas Children’s Book Award
“This original tall tale with its highly energetic, brightly colored illustrations has expressive typeface showing the word ‘LOUD’ repeatedly in bold capital letters. Readers as well as listeners will have fun with this animated story, and the Southwestern twang will just come naturally.” —School Library Journal
“Lively prose is complemented by an exuberant design and palette. Humorous details are found on every spread… The tornado, with a mouth of its own, adds an extra dab of perfect hilarity. A fabulous read-aloud that everyone will ‘HUSH!’ to hear.” —The Horn Book Magazine
“…an apt reminder that we are all unique, and in celebrating our gifts, sometimes it may be just as necessary to bellow boldly as to listen quietly.” —BookPage
“This original tall tale is a readaloud dream, full of big, brazen shouts and playful homey dialect. There’s hilarity in the chaos Holler’s volume causes, and the ending, wherein Holler learns the value of quiet and the townsfolk learn the value of loudness, is satisfyingly even-handed and logical.” —Bulletin of the Center of Children’s Books
“This effervescent collaboration…has sass aplenty.” —Publishers Weekly
“This original tall tale will delight kids from preschool through third grade, who will especially enjoy joining in on some hollering! Cartoonish illustrations add to the fun and this is a definite ‘must’ for reading aloud—loudly!” —ParentWise Austin
CLS: And I simply adore Miz Poofy, who’s mentioned in the story and shown repeatedly in the illustrations. …[The] public library was at the heart of the first draft, and I brought it back in—with a twist—to the final one. I’ll never forget turning to that last page and shouting, “Miz Poofy is the librarian! Miz Poofy is the librarian!” Of COURSE she is! But until Barry [Gott] showed me, I had no idea.
—On Nailing the Kid-Friendly: Author Cynthia Leitich Smith With Lots of Art from Barry Gott from Jules at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast (Dec. 1, 2010).
On writing to be illustrated:
HVF: You and I are both primarily novelists. I’m curious as to how you approach writing a picture book, and how you feel about handing over your “baby” to an artist.
CLS: Because my picture books tend to be character-driven stories (as opposed to, say, poetry or concept books), in many ways it’s much the same…. I love working visually, and I’m thrilled to have my text partnered with art. I consider a key part of my job to offer a stage for the illustrator to play on and then get out of their way. I feel that even more now that I’m writing YA graphic novels, which is an intrinsically more collaborative format. Then again, from Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu on JINGLE DANCER to Steve Bjorkman on SANTA KNOWS to Barry Gott on HOLLER LOUDLY, and now Ming Doyle on my graphics, I’ve been blessed by having been paired with remarkable visual talents. Those folks raise up my words and heroes!
—Pie-of-the-Month Club: Cynthia Leitich Smith from Heather Vogel Frederick (Nov. 23, 2010). On her main character in Holler Loudly:
BH: Character…. What does your main character want? And how long did it take you to clarify those wants?
CLS: Holler wants to be accepted, but other folks (group antagonist) are put off by his loud voice. You see, Holler isn’t just loud; he’s so LOUD that the pecans fall from the pecan trees and the prickly pear cacti sprout more needles. So LOUD that every hound dog in the county rolls up his ears and tosses back his head to bay. He’s a tall-tale hero. Because of the chaos that Holler’s voice causes, tension builds steadily between him and the townsfolk. Even between him and his loving family. In the moment where all hope seems lost, he reflects that nobody else is being asked to change (and it’s not like the other locals don’t have their quirks). But then a threat looms from above, and it’s up to Holler to save the day.
—Inside the Writer’s Studio with Cynthia Leitich Smith by Bethany Hegedus from Writer Friendly; Bookshelf Approved (Nov. 18, 2010). On finding the words:
S. C.: Your word choice is lovely. For example, I liked that the tornado is blown into “a thousand sweet teeny breezy breezes—not one with an ounce of sass.” I like to accumulate favorite words and jot them down in my journals. Do you collect words or make lists, etc., prior to starting a book?
CLS: Thanks, and you would think so! That’s an exercise I’ve encouraged my MFA students to embrace in their own writing. With HOLLER, it started as not a historical—not a tall tale, not nearly as rollicking of a story—so the language punch-ups came slowly over time. I do remember writing that line, though, and it never changed from the first time I keyed it out. It just felt true. Writing is like that sometimes.
—Get Ready for Holler Loudly: an interview with Cynthia Leitich Smith from Shutta Crum (Oct. 28, 2010).
November 2010 | 0525422560 | 978-0525422563 | Dutton Books | Hardcover | PB | 32 pages | Ages 4-up