NIGHT NOISES Featured author, Mem Fox

Bibliography: Fox, Mem. 1989. NIGHT NOISES. Ill. By: Denton, Terry. New York: Gulliver Books, ISBN 0152005439

Story Plot

Lily Laceby is an old woman who lives alone and after a day’s work sits down in her comfortable chair to rest and drifts off to sleep. As she sleeps she dreams of family and times past, there is a commotion going on outside that her faithful old dog, Butch Aggie hears, but she dreams on. The car doors open, feet tiptoe, bushes crunch, the door rattles and still she sleeps on. Finally voices shout and Butch Aggie barks loudly enough to awaken the sleeping old woman. She finds family and friends at her door to celebrate her ninetieth birthday.

Critical Analysis

There are a few words in this book that would lead the reader through careful analysis to conclude that this book might have been written by an international author. The first hint is the surname Laceby. This is not a surname that is common in America, at least not in the area that I am from (Texas). After a brief search I came to conclude that the name is European in origin and seems to be somewhat familiar in areas such as New Zealand and Australia. The illustrations on the first page also could depict a small village in the hills of Australia, but is somewhat deceiving on first glance. It appears to be from a time gone by, but if you look closely the houses are all well lit. The next page brings us into the present with the reality of cleaning dishes in a somewhat modern way, dish soap and sink. :) The dog’s name, Butch Aggie, also has somewhat of an Australian flair to it. The kettle of hot tea (critic’s opinion) would be suggestive of a native country rather than America. Other than the notations above I did not find anything suggesting the book was written by an international author. If I had checked the book out for the purpose of entertaining a group of children without the request for analysis I don’t believe either the children or I would have noticed the few hints of international authorship. The clothing and hairstyles of all those greeting Lily for her 90th birthday are similar to the clothing we see daily. Denton’s artistic work with the side panels allows the reader to follow the commotion going on outside that Butch Aggie is hearing as well as the dream of family that Lily Laceby is having. The middle illustrations suggest a photo album may be entertaining Lily and allow her to dream of important events that have occurred in her lifetime. The primary colors and comical illustrations blend readily with the text.

Reviews

Publishers Weekly: While her faithful dog keeps watch, 90-year-old Lily Laceby dozes as strange noises outside herald a welcome surprise.

Horn Book Guide: Nearly ninety, Lily Laceby dozes on a wild winter's evening, while noises start to disturb her dog. The text reads beautifully, and the sparks of excitement are absolutely at one with the artwork.

Connections

Other books by Mem Fox

HUNWICK’S EGG ISBN 0152163182
KOALA LOU ISBN 0152005021
POSSUM MAGIC ISBN 0152005722
SOPHIE ISBN 0152771603

Go to http://www.memfox.net/ and find Hear Mem Read Aloud, have the following Mem Fox books available for the children to “read along” with Mem.

KOALA LOU ISBN 0152005021
SLEEP BEARS ISBN 9780613865265
TOUGH BORIS ISBN 9780613105354