The Best Sound in the World

Roy the lion, a music lover and aspiring violinist in “the big city,” collects beautiful sounds in small bottles. Dismissing the aid of his enthusiastic neighbor Jemmy, a lemur, Roy sets off alone to discover the world’s most beautiful sound. Wume’s loose-lined, appealingly patterned illustrations show Roy (and, several cars back, Jemmy) riding a red train over an arched brick bridge. In the forest, the lion collects the “plip-plop of the rain”; by the sea, he secures the “splish-splosh of the tide,” all without noticing the lemur, who lurks in every travel spread. When Roy returns home dissatisfied and realizes he’s left his violin behind, Jemmy proves his loyalty—and illuminates Roy’s favorite sound—by presenting him with the found instrument. Though Jemmy’s stealthy persistence may seem unnerving, the idea that one need not look far for beauty is a meaningful one. Ages 3–6. [em](Feb.) [/em]