Walter Finds His Voice - by Ann Kim Ha (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Walter, an achingly shy crocodile, hides in the swamp, always just out of sight, where he hopes no one will notice him." -- Dust jacket.

Book Synopsis

Meet Walter, a painfully shy crocodile who takes his time to find his voice. The perfect story to inspire little introverts.

Unlike most crocodiles, Walter lives in the swamp and hides below the surface from all the noisy animals, until one day, he sees a friend being mistreated. He gathers all his courage and uses his size and voice in defense of his friend. Walter, finally finds his voice. This sweet tale shows how each of us needs to take our own time to find our voice and place in the world. Walter may not be the bravest of crocodiles, but he learns to speak up when it matters most and his friends respect him all the more for that.

Review Quotes

"In Ha's picture-book debut, soothing green and blue watercolors deftly mirror Walter's watery habitat and his quiet nature. Quirky details and expressive eyes on the full cast--even when that is all readers can see of Walter--brim with warmth and personality. . . Emboldens readers with the knowledge that bravery is not the absence of fear."-Kirkus Reviews

"Though he enjoys music and company, Walter, a crocodile, is painfully shy and prefers staying just below the surface. Until one day, he finds his voice to help his friend turtle from being tossed around by big birds. Expressive illustrations, almost translucent, evoke Walter's watery world and the joy in finding one's voice."-Reading Rockets, National Public Media

"This is a stellar story, with so much charm. Readers and their grownups will love this tale with the message that trying to step out of one's comfort zone often reaps enormous benefits-the whole swamp is rocked by Walter's new ability to sing out loud. Isn't that what we want for all our children? . . . An essential purchase for all collections." -Youth Services Book Review

About the Author

Ann Kim Ha is a graphic artist and designer with a masters in architecture from Harvard Graduate School of Design. She employs techniques of watercolor and digital collage to illustrate her stories. Walter Finds His Voice is her debut picture book. Ann Kim Ha lives lives with her family in New Jersey.