Child's Play

“I like how Harold copies everything. I have three favorite sounds – ding, shhhhh, flush. Oh and, RAWK!" Kelsey, Age 7
"Our favorite part is all the feathers!" Anna & Charlotte, Age 2.5
"We loved the sound the shower makes – shhhhhhhhhh!" Peter, Age 3 & Avery, Age 4

Bookworms Bookworm.com. 18th June 2014

“Some familiar elements but it's cleverly done and illustrations are highly appealing and it would be great for noisy story times. Well worth buying.” Book of the Week, Peters Books

Peter's Books. 6th February 2014

“Harold is a parrot, quite a talented parrot in fact. He is able to mimic almost anything with great accuracy. From the washing machine to the toaster, the vacuum cleaner to the phone Harold delights in imitating every single sound he hears in the apartment in which he lives. One day Harold decides that he has tired of all these familiar sounds and ventures out into the big city where is he delighted to discover a whole range of exciting new sounds for him to copy. However something is worrying Harold; despite all the many sounds he makes he is worried that he does not have a sound of his own. Surely he must have a voice and if he does what does it sound like?
This debut picture book by Courtney Dicmas is a cheerful story with equally cheerful and bright illustrations. Harold even manages to look happy! The illustrations are vibrant and busy with plenty of detail for young children to look at. This is a lovely story to read aloud with lots of opportunity for silly noises and enthusiastic participation. The six year olds I read this book to enjoyed the story, the pictures (and the noises!) and were really pleased that although Harold may not have been pleased with the sound of his own voice the other parrots loved it. The children all said how lovely it was that Harold made lots of new friends; so Harold's experiences make a comforting story for children.
This is an amusing and jolly picture book that will appeal to the very young and be fun to share together too.”

The Bookbag. 6th February 2014

“Blazing with colour, and a good dose of ‘parrotyness’, Courtney Dicmas' debut children's picture book ‘Harold Finds a Voice’ is a joyful (and very noisy) celebration of a rather special little feathery friend.
Harold is absolutely brilliant at mimicking the sounds he hears at his apartment. But Harold thinks that out there, in the wide wide world, there are more sounds to be heard, more noises to enjoy, a whole bustling metropolis filled with enchanting tones.
Harold seizes his chance one morning and flies out of the window, to come face to face (or should that be ear to ear) with a whole cacophony of different noises to emulate.
But something's troubling Harold. Deep down he wonders what his own voice is like. Surely he must have one?
Expertly told, beautifully illustrated and of the high quality we've come to expect from Child's Play, "Harold Finds a Voice" will delight children of all ages (and mums and dads will undoubtedly love making all the noises and sounds in the book as they read – well I did anyway!)
Charlotte's best bit: Harold's brilliant impression of a vacuum cleaner
Daddy's favourite bit: A jubilant and joy-filled debut, Courtney Dicmas really does know how to weave an attractive tale.” ReadItDaddy

Read It Daddy!. 6th February 2014