Review by Booklist Review
Bell is a mouse who loves music. She especially loves the music of life in her town, but she cannot figure out how she is supposed to join in. When she tries, her attempts feel forced, wrong, and too loud. Bell's loneliness and dreams of fitting in are poignant, but when she pauses and really listens to the sounds around her, she begins to sing and finally discovers her own unique voice. Soon, others appreciate her authentic voice as well, and it becomes part of the town's music, just as Bell had hoped. O'Donnell is responsible not only for this fable-like story with a classic moral but also for the soft, colorful illustrations--reminiscent in color and character of the work of Matthew Forsythe--of busy urban scenes, which provide readers with plenty to see on every bursting page. An encouraging story whose text and pictures alike are full of meaningful feelings and details.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In O'Donnell's resonant fable, a music-loving mouse explores "the bustling melody of life" while struggling to find her place in her cross-species community's song. Though Bell's home is quiet, she sings along to household sounds, such as "the low creaks of the floorboards." Wanting to contribute to the bountiful music that she hears in town, she ventures out, trying to match her neighbors' sounds. When nothing she tries feels right, it takes quiet reflection for Bell to realize that finding her melody starts with trusting her voice. Invoking sonorous imagery ("the steady rhythm of rain, and the overwhelming silence of snowfall"), this predictable but winsomely told work invites readers to experience the music of everyday life. Warm-hued digital illustrations mimic the town's auditory chaos in low-contrast spreads that reserve an eye-catching glow for Bell once she finds her song. Human characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 3--5. (July)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Make your own kind of music. Bell, a solitary, music-loving mouse, has no one to make music with. She sings to the "music" she hears at home--her teapot, rainfall, snow falling. Bell hears music everywhere. Her favorite song is the "bustling melody of life" beneath her window. Determined to join in, she grabs her "loudest noisemakers" and heads downstairs. Bell toots her trumpet, but no one hears; it doesn't feel right anyway. Bell notices a nearby band and joins in on her keyboard. But when one of the band members points out that her instrument is in fact an accordion, she abandons it. At the park, Bell pounds on her drum, but she's so loud that everyone looks up in surprise. As she wanders off, the music resumes. Bell closes her eyes and sings; when she opens them again, she's surrounded by townsfolk playing along to her tune. Bell has "found a place in her town just by trusting her own voice." This quiet, dreamily philosophical tale may waft over some kids' heads. Still, many will appreciate its takeaway about finding your own voice and learning to accept yourself. The cozy digital illustrations are warmly colored, mostly in shades of orange; background characters are a mix of animals and humans who vary in skin tone. A melodic tale with a clear message: Let your own voice ring out like a bell and let everyone hear. (Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
