Listen - by Gabi Snyder (Hardcover)

About the Book

Illustrations and easy-to-read text urge the reader to go beyond the noise of the city to listen to a crow's caw, rain dripping onto a sidewalk, and whispered goodnights. Includes notes about listening.

Book Synopsis

"A memorable experience."--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

In the tradition of Tomie dePaola's Quiet and Scott Magoon's Breathe comes this lyrical, meditative picture book about listening and mindfulness.

BEEP!
WOOF!
VROOM!

Isn't the world a noisy place?
But what if you
stop, close your eyes,
and LISTEN?

Can you hear each sound?
Can you listen past the noise
and hear the quiet, too?

Beautifully illustrated and poignant, this lovely picture book follows a girl through her school day as she listens to sounds across the city: caws of crows, shouts across the playground, and finally, the quiet beating of her heart and whispered goodnights.

Review Quotes

A girl walks to school with her father one day, noticing the noise of the city and listening to individual sounds. . . . Digitally rendered with pencil and watercolor elements, the attractive artwork uses cool blues, greens, and grays with touches of orange as accents. The story line emerges mainly in the illustrations, while the precisely worded text focuses on sounds and, in closing, suggests dealing with the world's noise by listening "to everything waiting to be heard." An evocative read-aloud choice for classroom units on the senses.--Booklist "May 1, 2021"

In this book about auditory stimulus, Snyder (Two Dogs on a Trike) shows the steps behind taking cacophony apart, noise by noise. When a child with brown skin, dot eyes, and pigtail puffs steps out of a doorway and onto a city street, they're assailed by a wall of sound: a car says "BEEP!" while motor-scooters "VROOM!" and a moving van booms. "Listen," says the narrator. "Can you hear each sound?" The child pauses and closes their eyes, picturing the car, the scooter, and the other noise sources in vignettes, each one now distinct. At school, listening continues: playground sounds, storytime sounds, "words of joy... and words that can sting." A classmate's feelings are hurt: "Can you hear what she's feeling, too? A sob, a sigh, or even silence." Dusk falls, and Graegin (Fern and Otto) portrays city streets in a blue twilight that's studded with glowing lamps: "Listen... to nighttime hush and whispers." Back matter contains more about the sense of hearing ("The key difference between hearing and listening is attention"), including bottom-up, top-down, and startle responses. Snyder offers an introduction to mental focus, a skill whose enhancement may serve readers struggling to filter through a din. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Natalie Lakosil, Bradford Literary. Illustrator's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (June)--Publishers Weekly "April 19, 2021"

Readers are encouraged to take a moment to listen to every sound around them. . . . Through sensory engagement, the narrative offers a fresh way to engage with the world, showing that even when the surroundings seem overwhelming, one has the power of attention--useful for learning, calm, empathy, and more. . . . Endmatter defines different modes of hearing and responding to sounds. . . .This book makes a memorable experience.--Kirkus Reviews, *STARRED REVIEW* "May 1, 2021"

About the Author

Gabi Snyder is the author of several picture books, including Two Dogs on a Trike, Listen, Today, and Look. She studied psychology at the University of Washington and creative writing at The University of Texas and is a member of SCBWI. When she's not writing, she loves taking nature walks, visiting Little Free Libraries, and baking sweet treats. She lives in Oregon with her family. Learn more at GabiSnyder.com.

Stephanie Graegin is the illustrator of numerous books for children, including Super Manny Stands Up! by Kelly DiPucchio; Water in the Park by Emily Jenkins; Happy Birthday, Bunny! by Liz Garton Scanlon; Peace Is an Offering by Annette LeBox; and Listen by Gabi Snyder. She earned her BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and her MFA in printmaking from Pratt Institute, and she currently lives in Brooklyn, New York. You can visit her at Graegin.com.