White Noise

by David A. Carter

First came One Red Dot , next Blue 2 , 600 Black Spots , Yellow Square , and finally White Noise , the fifth installment of David A. Carter's acclaimed color series! Modern and elegant paper engineering and text are certain to awe children of all ages.

Paper-over-board book has 9 spreads of pop-ups. Book is packaged in a resealable polybag with a sell sheet

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Art

20 pages, Hardcover

First published October 27, 2009

About the author

David A. Carter is a master paper engineer and creator of the Bugs series, which has sold more than 6 million copies. Also the author and illustrator of the critically acclaimed Color series, featuring One Red Dot, Blue 2, 600 Black Spots, Yellow Square, and White Noise, he lives in Auburn, California, with his wife and two daughters.

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Selected by The New York Times as one of the "Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2009," David A. Carter's White Noise is a pop-up book with a purpose. Described by its creator as "an experiment with color and structure," it is meant to make noise, as each pop-up unfolds.

Bold colors and shapes explode from every page, in abstract designs that puzzle and fascinate, and while I wouldn't describe the noise produced as particularly impressive, certain spreads (like the ones approximating musical instruments) do indeed produce some interesting sounds. But although Carter's idea is innovative, and his paper engineering accomplished, I'm not really sure that this succeeds as a children's book, nor would I have selected it for any "best of" lists.

I acknowledge that I'm no pop-up aficionado, although I do try to stay abreast of the latest Sabuda developments, but it has struck me, of late, that the majority of pop-up creations, while ostensibly aimed at children, are really being produced for adults. Which isn't necessarily a negative thing - I've no objection to adult pop-ups. But so many of the hot new titles in the genre are of such a complicated and delicate construction, that it's difficult to imagine young children being allowed to play with them, the way I did with the more simplistic lift-the-flap books of my youth.

[Mylinh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gorgeous pop up book that I would love to have on my coffee table. The short text, movement of the artwork, and as the sound the various pages make make for a very interactive, and imaginative work. A great example of a "different" kind of book. Could spark a conversation about what is a book and what makes a book. Would also inspire readers to try to make their own pop-up creations.


From School Library Journal
Grade 3 Up—Carter's fifth installment in his innovative, color-themed paper-sculpture series incorporates another level of sensory interaction for readers to take note of and explore. Sound plays an important role in the artwork from the cover (fingers can be strummed along the raised, textured starburst shapes) to the unfurling and contemplation of each of the nine paper-engineering marvels contained within. Like the other offerings in the series, the poetic text tantalizingly refers to the displayed pop-up while leaving much to interpretation by the imagination ("Rainbow bubble blast/and crackly white noise") or explanation from canny adults ("Sir Anthony's easel/and Munari's white noise"). The paper structures are as breathtaking as ever, with the sound effects varying from "white noise" created as the sculpture is deployed to pieces with added aural wows (the "tinkling" of cutout circles hanging from string or a pull tab that runs along serrated xylophonelike card stock). The relationship between words, sounds, and visuals is consistently pleasing, thought-provoking, and playful. In addition to grabbing the eye and ear, this book seems a natural for extensions in music and art classes.—Joy Fleishhacker, School Library Journal
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Gail Cooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following his amazing, highly successful paper structure series (One Red Dot, Blue 2, 600 Black Spots, Yellow Square) the ingenious David Carter presents his final volume, WHITE NOISE, a nonpareil pop-up book for everyone from two to 92.

Beginning with "Rainbow bubble blast and crackly white noise," the pages sing as they are opened. In fact, they both spring and sing as the incredible boldly colored structures leap from the page. As the author has noted, "On some pages the sound is subtle, and on some pages the sound is obvious, but it is always created by the white portion of that page's structure." In addition to listening for the sound, you'll also discover a red dot, a blue 2, 600 black spots and a yellow square, all references to Carter's previous titles.

One structure in the book, Sierra Nevada Chopsticks, came about because Carter lives in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains and this piece "resembles snowy mountain peaks with angular paper shapes that jut up like chopstick." Also, while enjoying this, look for the author's ski tracks off the back side of the highest peak.

To be fully appreciated this book calls for repeated visits not only to experience the art but to hear again the unique sounds. White Noise is exciting, entertaining, and exhilarating!

- Gail Cooke

[Robert Beveridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

David A. Carter, White Noise (Simon and Schuster, 2009)

I love the idea of this. It's a pop-up book where the pop-ups are specifically designed to create noise as you turn the pages. It's a great idea, and you can see the inherent-interest factor among preschoolers. A few minutes of reflection, though, and you can see the drawback in this idea: repeated use is going to kill this book pretty quick. (Side note: this is one you pretty much never want to try and get from the library.) And since the concept of sound in a book that has no electronics attached to it is probably going to lead to fascination, if you do buy a copy, you may find yourself replacing it more often than any other book you own. But a fun one it is, and if you do get a chance to test-drive it, you'll probably end up wanting a copy of your own. *** ½

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a masterpiece. Kinetic sculpture, with engineered sounds. I hope to see kids peering into all the crevices, trying to figure out how those sounds are created and how the pieces move. If you haven't finished your holiday shopping, this is a nice choice for a still moment on Christmas morning. Everyone will want to try it.

[Lauren Brown · Rating 1 out of 5]

"White Noise" is an interactive book with pop-up pictures and textured pages. The text was not interesting and I found myself scanning over the words just to get through it. The pop-up pieces were very cool to look at, but very abstract. I don't think young children would be able to understand.

[Benjamin Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tries to visually represent the idea of "white noise" or background noises. Mostly sudden, dramatic noises, based on the pictures. Some of the pop-up images even create sounds (I'm assuming the ones that are represented by the visuals). No plot, just fun.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Expensive (after all, this is a paper-engineered book) but fun. Masterful "pop ups" are noisy, kinetic, and fascinating. Handle gently!

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the pop-ups in David A. Carters number/color series. It is simply astonishing what he can create with just paper and string.

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really a book in my age group anymore! Although it has beautiful pop-ups. I would recommend it to any small child.

[Huda Fel · Rating 3 out of 5]

PoP Up lovers would enjoy this book. I think it's smartly made; however, it's EASILY damaged.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheer, simple delight.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating, intricate art. Difficult to use without damaging the book.

[Miri Gifford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Same as 600 Black Spots .

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty cool, I liked 600 Black spots better. Not going to last long in the library. Plus... it's noisy.

[Sophia W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing example f what you can do with paper.

[tomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I turned my nose up at this a few years ago when I first got it and didn't read it but now I get it and love it.