ILEAFED THROUGH Joyful Noise and knew right away that I needed a copy. Ann Turner has put together traditional music that has inspired people of many nations through centuries of joy and sorrow. There are also spirituals and newer favourites.

The book is very user-friendly, with helpful hints for picking and teaching the music, and three indexes. Because it does not include accompaniments, its simple melody and guitar parts make it ideal for those who lack piano skills.

Joyful Noise Songs of Faith and Fun for Children ed. Ann E. Turner; prayers by Gertrude Lebans 175 pages, coilbound, $13.50 United Church Publishing House 1 55134 086 0

After some "fun stuff" the book is arranged with ideas and music for singing through the church year. Gertrude Lebans' prayers are beautifully intertwined with the music, complementing and enhancing its usefulness with children. The imagery she uses is as inspiring as the music itself.

A downside of this book is the apparent determination of the editors to change lyrics that are in the public domain. Inclusive language is fine, but many of the changes seemed more arbitrary than inclusive. It would have been better to have included the original lyrics as well, giving the user the option of using either the original or altered version. This would also have provided some good discussion starters.

Altered lyrics aside, this is a worthwhile resource for use with children and youth or as a family songbook at home. If someone from your home picks it up, it won't be long before they are making their own "joyful noise."

Shelley Portman-Secuur is a Christian educator living in Hamilton.