As a preschool-age child observes the start of day in his home, variations on a single sound punctuate the morning. It all begins quietly with a single bee outside his bedroom window (“BUZZ”). Then his parent’s alarm clock (“BUZZZbuzzzBUZZZbuzzz”) sends excitement through the air. “Daddy’s silver razor smooths his rough face in one long slow buzz.” Mommy “blows her hair dry--BUZZZZ--until it stands up straight.” Many families will recognize the busy-ness of the morning in this household. They will also recognize the way moments that are clearly ritual for the child (shaving with Daddy, pressing the button for the garage door opener, kissing Grandma hello and Mommy goodbye) alternate with moments of chaos (spilled apple juice, Mommy rushing to get dressed). Janet Wong’s text comes a satisfying full circle when the child observes that his mother flies out the door “like a busy bee.” Margaret Chodos-Irvine used a variety of print-making techniques to create her warm, whimsical illustrations. Children will enjoy the patterns and textured effects of her artwork as well the love and security reflected in her images of the family, in which the mother looks to be of Asian heritage and the father of European. Of course, what they will delight in most of all is providing the sound effects necessary for reading this playful story aloud. (Ages 2-4)

A child experiences the sights and sounds of morning--from a bee buzzing outside to the noise of the awakening household to the flurry before Mommy and Daddy leave for work. Buzz celebrates the warm familiarity of the family routine, as well as the childlike game of discovering a recurring sound.