July 12, 2002

Children's Book by Art Professor William Carman to be Released July 23

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"What's That Noise? Book Cover" 497 KB

New book: What’s that Noise? by William Carman, art professor at Boise State; hardback 40 pages; published by Random House; ages 5-8; ISBN 0-375-81052-8; release date July 23, 2002.

Even before its official release, What’s that Noise?, a Random House picture book by artist and author William Carman, has garnered positive reviews from Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly.

"Carman showcases a flair for visual drama in this children’s debut," wrote the reviewer for Kirkus Reviews.

In What’s that Noise? Carman’s illustrations depict a young boy who hears a mysterious noise in the night and bravely sets out to discover its source. The boy’s imagination conjures up an invading UFO, an unlikely lawnmower, a toothy monster and other magical creatures before discovering the real source of the noise, his father’s snores.

The illustrations alternate between softly focused, black-and-white representations of the boy’s imaginings, imparting a B-movie feel, and crisply detailed depictions tinged midnight blue to portray the nighttime realities.

When Carman submitted his book idea and portfolio to Random House Young Readers Group, his illustrations caught the attention of Random House editor Heidi Kilgras.

"I could see how his sketches would translate into beautifully formed pieces," said Kilgras. "There was a richness, an atmospheric quality….It caught my eye."

She said the book has a sophisticated look, but also a simplicity that will allow it to be enjoyed by young children.

"It’s really incredible. It’s imaginative and spare at the same time," she said. "You get this sort of luminous hyper-reality, yet not every detail is filled in, so the child can enter that world, children can place themselves into the book. I don’t know how he achieves that — hyper-real and austere."

For Carman, an art professor at Boise State and an illustrator who has exhibited works at galleries around the country, working on his first book was a challenging and rewarding experience.

"The thing I enjoyed about it was having a whole narrative, not just a one-shot illustration," he said. "Being responsible for a whole world — what the character will be like, what the house will look like, the imaginary creatures, the UFO…."

What’s That Noise? will be available at Amazon Books, the Boise State Bookstore, Barnes and Noble, Borders Books and Music, the Brigham Young University Bookstore and other stores. Several stores have requested Carman schedule book signings, but those dates have not yet been set.

Carman is also available for presentations at schools. He can be reached at (208) 426-1610.

Media contacts:
Channing Saltonstall
Publicity Assistant
Random House Young Readers Group
(212) 782-8357