As I write this, I hear the sound of a weed whacker outside。 My cat jumping off of his tree (he does not like the weed whacker sound!) A book being closed in the other room。 The low hum of the refrigerator。 And that's what this book will inspire you to do - listen to all the noise and separate it into individual sounds。 It also talks a bit about how hearing sound actually works and offers some centering and mindfulness tips。 Because we all know that the noise of the world can be a bit overwhelmi As I write this, I hear the sound of a weed whacker outside。 My cat jumping off of his tree (he does not like the weed whacker sound!) A book being closed in the other room。 The low hum of the refrigerator。 And that's what this book will inspire you to do - listen to all the noise and separate it into individual sounds。 It also talks a bit about how hearing sound actually works and offers some centering and mindfulness tips。 Because we all know that the noise of the world can be a bit overwhelming at times! I would read this with LeUyen Pham's Outside, Inside and The Secret Fawn by Kallie George。 。。。more
Alyssa Gudenburr,
A great mindfulness book that reminds children how to slow down and listen。 Best as a one-on-one book due to the small illustrations。
Richie Partington,
Richie’s Picks: LISTEN by Gabi Snyder and Stephanie Graegin, ill。, Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman, July 2021, 40p。, ISBN: 978-1-5344-6189-5“Nature provides countless opportunities for discovery, creativity, problem-solving and STEM education。 Interacting with natural environments allows children to learn by doing and experiment with ideas。 In nature, children think, question, and make hypotheses--thereby developing inquisitive minds。”-- Bright Horizons, “Benefits of Nature for Kids” (2019)“Liste Richie’s Picks: LISTEN by Gabi Snyder and Stephanie Graegin, ill。, Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman, July 2021, 40p。, ISBN: 978-1-5344-6189-5“Nature provides countless opportunities for discovery, creativity, problem-solving and STEM education。 Interacting with natural environments allows children to learn by doing and experiment with ideas。 In nature, children think, question, and make hypotheses--thereby developing inquisitive minds。”-- Bright Horizons, “Benefits of Nature for Kids” (2019)“Listen to the soundLet nothing disturb you”-- Todd Rundgren, “Tiny Demons” (1981)“When you step out into the big, wild world, sometimes all you hear is…NOISE!But what if you stop, close your eyes, and LISTEN?Can you hear each sound?”It's been twenty-five years since my daily circle times, but all I can think about after reading LISTEN is that I need a center full of preschoolers and either an easel pad or a white board。We’d all put on our listening ears and go walking through the park or the neighborhood, listening intently for both natural and man-made sounds。 Upon our return, we’d compile a list。 I’d leave the list up for the week, encouraging the young listeners to go out in their backyards, or even drag a parent out for a walk, and then bring their aural observations to share and add to the list。 This, alone, makes LISTEN a valuable and engaging circle time read。 But this is just the beginning, as author Gabi Snyder builds upon the initial, concrete concept, to encourage kids to explore multiple levels of higher listening behavior:First, depicting a diverse group of preschoolers at circle time, young listeners are encouraged to listen to the individual words in a story。“Can you hear new words? Listen to each sound。 Some pop, like quick and snappy, while others stretch, like looong and leisurely。 Listen。”Now, with the focus on words, we are encouraged to consider the impact of the words around us, which can lead to development of compassion and empathy。“Hear words of joy…and words that sting。Do you hear what your friend says?Listen。Can you hear what she’s feeling, too?A sob, a sigh, or even silence。Listen。”I just love the manner in which the story begins with those concrete, pedestrian sounds and then moves to the more abstract concepts。 The story concludes with young listeners being encouraged to listen to the voices inside of themselves。Encouraging observation, mindfulness, and empathy, I think LISTEN is a big deal。 Richie Partington, MLISRichie's Picks http://richiespicks。pbworks。comhttps://www。facebook。com/richiespicks/https://twitter。com/richiespicks richiepartington@gmail。com 。。。more
Nikki Bergstresser,
Excited to add LISTEN to my picture book shelves! It is such a beautiful book about the various ways we can listen。 It begins by saying to the reader sometimes “all you hear is noise” and then brings us along on a journey of the beauty in truly listening and being present。 The author uses fun words that are highlighted in red。 I can just imagine using this book in the classroom and introducing students to building onomatopoeia into their own writing。 There’s a great after reading page at the end Excited to add LISTEN to my picture book shelves! It is such a beautiful book about the various ways we can listen。 It begins by saying to the reader sometimes “all you hear is noise” and then brings us along on a journey of the beauty in truly listening and being present。 The author uses fun words that are highlighted in red。 I can just imagine using this book in the classroom and introducing students to building onomatopoeia into their own writing。 There’s a great after reading page at the end of the book that dives into further types of listening。 The illustrations are beautiful and readers will enjoy looking for the little details like finding the whistling tea kettle。 I love the colours used to represent the mood of the story。And check out the lovely dedication the author shared。 。。。more
Kelly,
Child and adult readers can't help but be soothed by the gentle language and beautiful imagery throughout, while also learning valuable lessons about empathy, perspective, and self control。 Child and adult readers can't help but be soothed by the gentle language and beautiful imagery throughout, while also learning valuable lessons about empathy, perspective, and self control。 。。。more
Tasha,
When you leave your house and enter the world, sometimes all you can hear is a blare of noise。 What if you stop instead and listen closely。 Can you identify each separate sound like the car horn beeping and the dog barking? On your way to school, can you hear the slap of shoes on pavement or noises through the windows you pass? At school you can hear friends saying hello and the sounds of the playground being used。 In school you can listen to learn new words。 You can also listen to hear how word When you leave your house and enter the world, sometimes all you can hear is a blare of noise。 What if you stop instead and listen closely。 Can you identify each separate sound like the car horn beeping and the dog barking? On your way to school, can you hear the slap of shoes on pavement or noises through the windows you pass? At school you can hear friends saying hello and the sounds of the playground being used。 In school you can listen to learn new words。 You can also listen to hear how words make people feel happy or hurt。 Listen for feelings in the silence or sighs。 Rain brings new noise, and wind does too。 At home, it is quieter and still there are noises to listen to right up until bedtime。This picture book demonstrates being able to reset at times of overwhelm by tuning in to the world around us rather than tuning out。 It shows how listening closely can untangle the noise into sounds which allow us to learn and connect with others。 Set in an urban setting, this book shares the joys of living in a city by celebrating the noise and not letting it become a problem。The illustrations center on a little girl who is multiracial。 As she moves through her day, she regularly takes time to check in with herself and center using the sounds around her。 The cast of students and community members on the page are a variety of races。A gentle book about the power of sound and our own power to use it to center ourselves。 Appropriate for ages 3-5。 。。。more
Baby Bookworm,
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm。 Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!Hello, friends! Our book today is Listen, written by Gabi Snyder and illustrated by Stephanie Graegin, a look at the sounds all around us and how they can help us focus, learn, and grow。Sometimes, in the big wide world, there can be a lot of NOISE。 But if we quiet our minds and really listen, we would find that noise is made up of individual sounds: a dog’s friendly bark, children playing jump- This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm。 Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!Hello, friends! Our book today is Listen, written by Gabi Snyder and illustrated by Stephanie Graegin, a look at the sounds all around us and how they can help us focus, learn, and grow。Sometimes, in the big wide world, there can be a lot of NOISE。 But if we quiet our minds and really listen, we would find that noise is made up of individual sounds: a dog’s friendly bark, children playing jump-rope, wind rushing through trees。 In fact, if we truly focus our attention, many of those noises can teach us things, like new words, or how to comfort a friend when they need to talk about their feelings, or even the voice inside ourselves has to say。 It’s true, the world is full of noise – so it’s good to know how to take a breath, close our eyes, and truly listen。Soothing and thought-provoking。 In the grand tradition of children’s books encouraging young readers to slow down and take stock of the world around – and within – them, this one focuses specifically on the difference between hearing and listening。 The benefits of active listening are well-explored, from providing comfort to others to calming one’s mind to the simple enjoyment of the symphony of life that surrounds us。 This is richly brought to life by Graegin’s relaxing, blue-heavy visuals, using pops of color to focus the reader’s attention and allowing them to “hear” the expressive characters and environments。 Backmatter briefly explains the mechanics of hearing and different types of listening, a welcome addition to the theme of the book。 The length is great for a quick storytime, and JJ really enjoyed this one。 Overall, a soft and sweet reminder of the possibility in sound, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review。)Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews! 。。。more
Charlotte Offsay,
In this brand new picture book, a young girl steps outside to a jumble of sounds。 Vehicles, people, and animals are everywhere and noise overwhelms the city but as the girl goes throughout her day she takes the time to pause, listen and experience each individual sound。 Listen, gently encourages readers to take a moment to listen and find inner calm amidst a busy world - a great reminder for not only children but adults too!
Janet,
Have you ever gone through a day hearing everything, but listening to nothing? This beautiful picture book encourages the art of listening。 It makes you stop and think and listen and focus on the sounds around us。 What can we do with the power of listening? So many things。 We can find joy。 We can influence people and animals。 We can make change。 We can keep ourselves and others safe。 I loved this beautiful, lyrical book about listening, and I can just imagine children closing their eyes, and get Have you ever gone through a day hearing everything, but listening to nothing? This beautiful picture book encourages the art of listening。 It makes you stop and think and listen and focus on the sounds around us。 What can we do with the power of listening? So many things。 We can find joy。 We can influence people and animals。 We can make change。 We can keep ourselves and others safe。 I loved this beautiful, lyrical book about listening, and I can just imagine children closing their eyes, and getting a taste for the amazing ability we have to listen。 Highly recommend! 。。。more
Sarah Kurpiel,
In the space of one girl’s day, LISTEN shows us how to listen and be present in our noisy, overwhelming world。 Gabi Snyder’s gentle, onomatopoeia-filled text combines beautifully with Stephanie Graegin’s soft, peaceful illustrations。 I particularly love the storytime spread and its lovely bookish details。 Moving from morning to night, external to internal, LISTEN is a satisfying, soothing reading experience。 Highly recommend。
Claire Bobrow,
The world is full of noise, but if you take the time to listen – you might just hear one of the many wonderful sounds celebrated in this gorgeous new picture book (releasing soon)。 The author and illustrator make a compelling case for mindful listening – tuning out the chaos and focusing on the individual sounds that populate our daily lives, whether loud or soft, restful or exciting。 It's an important reminder to slow down, pay attention, and appreciate the music of our world -- and a delightfu The world is full of noise, but if you take the time to listen – you might just hear one of the many wonderful sounds celebrated in this gorgeous new picture book (releasing soon)。 The author and illustrator make a compelling case for mindful listening – tuning out the chaos and focusing on the individual sounds that populate our daily lives, whether loud or soft, restful or exciting。 It's an important reminder to slow down, pay attention, and appreciate the music of our world -- and a delightful read for any age。 Highly recommended! 。。。more
Jasmine from How Useful It Is,
An excellent book for kids about taking the time to listen to their surroundings。 We are always rushing to be on time especially to school in the morning so when reading this book, it’s nice to practice by keeping still and eyes closed to just listen to different sounds around us。 I liked following the character’s whole day。 She heard so many sounds everywhere she went! I liked the examples of different sounds like the sounds of different words read out loud, the sound of wind through trees, the An excellent book for kids about taking the time to listen to their surroundings。 We are always rushing to be on time especially to school in the morning so when reading this book, it’s nice to practice by keeping still and eyes closed to just listen to different sounds around us。 I liked following the character’s whole day。 She heard so many sounds everywhere she went! I liked the examples of different sounds like the sounds of different words read out loud, the sound of wind through trees, the sound of rain fall on umbrella, and so many more。 Practicing to listen properly, kids will learn to be patience and hear the individual sounds instead of a bunch of noises。 I liked taking my daughter out to sit on the yard and listen to birds sing。This book followed a girl, upon leaving her home for school, the first thing she heard were traffic noises and a neighbor’s dog barking。 Then she stopped to stand still and listen。 She got to hear each sound separately。 She heard a puppy yapping and birds singing。 She heard teakettle whistles through an open window and the sounds of shoes against the pavement as she walked to school。 So many different sounds throughout her day, at school and on the school’s playground。 She heard the sounds of rain on her umbrella as she went home and her stomach rumbling when she felt hungry at supper time。 At the end of the book, there’s more information about listening。Listen is a wonderful book for kids to read and apply themselves。 Most often we hear things but we don’t appreciate them because it’s noisy。 Birds sing in the morning when we just want to sleep in。 But when we really take the time to listen, their songs actually do sounds good。 I liked the example of the sounds of someone feeling sad。 There are sounds everywhere and we have to pay attention to hear them。 Loved the illustrations。 I liked how it showed the different activities the children were doing。 Definitely will be reading this book again。 I highly recommend everyone to read this book!xoxo, Jasmine at www。howusefulitis。wordpress。com for more details Many thanks to Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review。 Please be assured that my opinions are honest。 。。。more
Nell Cross Beckerman,
This book is so soothing as brings themes of mindfulness in a very kid-friendly way。 If my daughters were still little, I would love to read this to them at bedtime as a way to wind down and reflect on their day, and get quiet。 The text is spare but makes a good read aloud and the art is just beautiful。
Gabi,
I hope LISTEN will help educators and parents encourage mindfulness! I'm totally smitten by the breathtaking illustrations from Stephanie Graegin。 LOVE how this Kirkus ★STARRED★ review captures the heart of LISTEN! "。。。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。" https://kirkusreviews。com/book-review。。。 I hope LISTEN will help educators and parents encourage mindfulness! I'm totally smitten by the breathtaking illustrations from Stephanie Graegin。 LOVE how this Kirkus ★STARRED★ review captures the heart of LISTEN! "。。。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。" https://kirkusreviews。com/book-review。。。 。。。more
Danielle,
This color palette is perfect for inviting us in, to listen。 This book feels true and helps readers tune into the world and to others and to themselves。
Cathy Mealey,
Looking for an inviting new title for your mindfulness and SEL shelf? LISTEN will invite readers to tune in to the words, feelings and meanings that surround them while tuning out the noise and disruptions that can distract。 Listening to the world, to friends, and to oneself are essential elements, and beautifully illustrated with lots of detail to pore over。 Back matter also included and recommended。
Martha Bellis,
LISTEN is an engaging book that invites the reader (and listener!) to tune in to the quiet sounds, the less conspicuous, but more meaningful sounds, that are all around, waiting to be heard。 Combined with amazing artwork, this book demonstrates ways to be intentional, thoughtful and aware, offering everyone a chance to appreciate the sounds that offer serenity, friendship, caring, and joy。Back Matter gives additional information about listening vs。 hearing for parents, teachers, and kids。 A love LISTEN is an engaging book that invites the reader (and listener!) to tune in to the quiet sounds, the less conspicuous, but more meaningful sounds, that are all around, waiting to be heard。 Combined with amazing artwork, this book demonstrates ways to be intentional, thoughtful and aware, offering everyone a chance to appreciate the sounds that offer serenity, friendship, caring, and joy。Back Matter gives additional information about listening vs。 hearing for parents, teachers, and kids。 A lovely addition to everyone's bookshelf, young and old。 。。。more
Kira Bigwood,
What do you hear when you listen beyond the noise around you? Gabi Snyder’s, LISTEN, challenges children to engage in their senses and be more mindful of the world they walk through。 Snyder’s sparse text and deft use of repetition is calming, yet full of power, even magic。 Stephanie Graegin’s detailed illustrations are at once energetic and soft, somehow perfectly capturing both the buzz of the city, and the peace that comes from pausing to listen, “past the quiet。” Informative back matter train What do you hear when you listen beyond the noise around you? Gabi Snyder’s, LISTEN, challenges children to engage in their senses and be more mindful of the world they walk through。 Snyder’s sparse text and deft use of repetition is calming, yet full of power, even magic。 Stephanie Graegin’s detailed illustrations are at once energetic and soft, somehow perfectly capturing both the buzz of the city, and the peace that comes from pausing to listen, “past the quiet。” Informative back matter trains young readers (and grownups) in the art of listening。 An all-around beauty of a book! 。。。more
Heather Stewart,
This is lovely。 The story of what happens when we take our focus of the noise and really listen to the world around us and within us。 I love Gabi Snyder's use of oonamonopia The illustrations are quite gorgeous and whimsical。 This is lovely。 The story of what happens when we take our focus of the noise and really listen to the world around us and within us。 I love Gabi Snyder's use of oonamonopia The illustrations are quite gorgeous and whimsical。 。。。more
Sharon Giltrow,
Listen by Gabi Snyder and Stephanie Graegin is a beautifully written book that invites the reader to listen as they are taken on a journey through a child's day。 Showing that although we are often surrounded by noise we can focus on specific sounds if we listen。 I really like the back matter, where the reader is introduced to all the ways people can listen。 A great book and a great message :-)。 Listen by Gabi Snyder and Stephanie Graegin is a beautifully written book that invites the reader to listen as they are taken on a journey through a child's day。 Showing that although we are often surrounded by noise we can focus on specific sounds if we listen。 I really like the back matter, where the reader is introduced to all the ways people can listen。 A great book and a great message :-)。 。。。more
J Bates,
Beautifully written, LISTEN brings you through a child's day and the noises that surround her。 There are the noises that present themselves - 'woof,' 'beep,' 'vroom' - but there are also the sounds you can hear when you stop to pay attention。 Listening close enough can even help you to understand what someone is feeling。 Wonderfully illustrated, LISTEN, the pictures are engaging enough to make the reader want to pay attention to all of the interesting details found on each page。 Beautifully written, LISTEN brings you through a child's day and the noises that surround her。 There are the noises that present themselves - 'woof,' 'beep,' 'vroom' - but there are also the sounds you can hear when you stop to pay attention。 Listening close enough can even help you to understand what someone is feeling。 Wonderfully illustrated, LISTEN, the pictures are engaging enough to make the reader want to pay attention to all of the interesting details found on each page。 。。。more
Kirsten Pendreigh,
A delightful, poignant meditation on paying attention。 We follow a darling little girl through her day, as she listens to all the sounds of her neighborhood, school, and home。 Snyder’s story also shows young readers how to listen carefully to their friends, and to their own hearts。 Graegin’s peaceful blue-green palette and child-centred illustrations pair perfectly with this sweet story。 Little animals and birds pop up on every gorgeous spread。 Highly recommend!
Carrie Finison,
This absolutely beautiful book explores the concept of listening in many different ways。 It introduces the idea of noise, and trying to discern each distinct sound in a busy street scene。 It talks about listening to words - both the feelings their sounds evoke, as well as their emotional meaning, and what it means to listen to a friend。 And it talks about listening in quiet, to the hushed sounds around you, including your own body sounds。 I love how the friendly illustrations are full of detail This absolutely beautiful book explores the concept of listening in many different ways。 It introduces the idea of noise, and trying to discern each distinct sound in a busy street scene。 It talks about listening to words - both the feelings their sounds evoke, as well as their emotional meaning, and what it means to listen to a friend。 And it talks about listening in quiet, to the hushed sounds around you, including your own body sounds。 I love how the friendly illustrations are full of detail to be noticed, and reflect the busyness of the soundscape in the beginning, and the calmer feelings at the end。 Straightforward back matter talks about the different qualities of sound and listening。 This will be a great addition to the mindfulness/social-emotional learning shelf。 。。。more
Dawn,
This picture book about mindfulness is absolutely beautiful。 Gabi Snyder’s text is soft and soothing。 It makes you want to lean in and listen。 Stephanie Graegin’s lovely illustrations draw you into scene after scene of multi-cultural children and adults going about the ordinary business of their day。 The experiences are at once familiar, and yet completely fresh and new, because the focus is on the sounds that one might encounter in each of those moments。 I can imagine a teacher or librarian rea This picture book about mindfulness is absolutely beautiful。 Gabi Snyder’s text is soft and soothing。 It makes you want to lean in and listen。 Stephanie Graegin’s lovely illustrations draw you into scene after scene of multi-cultural children and adults going about the ordinary business of their day。 The experiences are at once familiar, and yet completely fresh and new, because the focus is on the sounds that one might encounter in each of those moments。 I can imagine a teacher or librarian reading this book to a group of boisterous children that soon quiet with rapt attention, and I can likewise envision this story being read by a parent at bedtime, setting the stage for a new way of engaging with the world come morning。 The back matter provides additional information to help readers distinguish between hearing and listening along with definitions for particular auditory experiences。 A particularly strong addition for social emotional learning/SEL collections。 。。。more
Carol Ekster,
This would make a lovely read aloud with great follow-up potential for nursery schoolers and early elementary grades。 Gorgeous illustrations!
Keila Dawson,
LISTEN is a book about mindfulness。 It encourages kids to pay attention to sounds all around them。 "Some pop, like quick and snappy, while others stretch, like loo0ng and leisurely 。" And it reminds us that from some words we hear joy - and some sting。Snyder uses onomatopoeia and emotion to draw kids into the here and now。 Delightful, expressive art accompany the text。 What a wonderful message for young children and examples of active listening! LISTEN is a book about mindfulness。 It encourages kids to pay attention to sounds all around them。 "Some pop, like quick and snappy, while others stretch, like loo0ng and leisurely 。" And it reminds us that from some words we hear joy - and some sting。Snyder uses onomatopoeia and emotion to draw kids into the here and now。 Delightful, expressive art accompany the text。 What a wonderful message for young children and examples of active listening! 。。。more
Laura Gehl,
This book is beautiful。 The words and pictures complement one another to produce a lovely introduction to mindfulness。 As we follow a little girl through her day, we are encouraged to think about the sounds that make up noise, and also the sounds we can hear in "silence。" After reading, I found myself listening more closely to the sounds around me, contemplating which I enjoyed and which I did not。 This book is beautiful。 The words and pictures complement one another to produce a lovely introduction to mindfulness。 As we follow a little girl through her day, we are encouraged to think about the sounds that make up noise, and also the sounds we can hear in "silence。" After reading, I found myself listening more closely to the sounds around me, contemplating which I enjoyed and which I did not。 。。。more
J Maher,
This book is gorgeous in both the pictures and the words。 It’s a beautifully simple and clear way to show kids what mindfulness is, and the illustrations draw the readers right in to an incredibly detailed and evocative world。 Kids will love exploring each page (as will grown-ups!) and will be inspired to listen to their environment in a whole new way。 Highly recommend!
Lisa Tolin,
This book is STUNNING! A beautiful reminder for children to stop and observe the world around them and tune into the natural world and the feelings of friends。 It's a delightful introduction to mindfulness from the fantastic author of TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE。 This book is STUNNING! A beautiful reminder for children to stop and observe the world around them and tune into the natural world and the feelings of friends。 It's a delightful introduction to mindfulness from the fantastic author of TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE。 。。。more
Mary Worley,
LISTEN is an invitation to sift through the noise and find what really matters。 We follow a young girl into the noisy world of traffic, delivery trucks, and barking dogs on her way to school。 As we go from street to playground to classroom, we see her attention shift。 My favorite spread shows a teacher reading to the class who listen to words that pop and stretch。 After hearing stinging words said to a friend, the young girl listens to understand her feelings。 The rain and wind on her walk home LISTEN is an invitation to sift through the noise and find what really matters。 We follow a young girl into the noisy world of traffic, delivery trucks, and barking dogs on her way to school。 As we go from street to playground to classroom, we see her attention shift。 My favorite spread shows a teacher reading to the class who listen to words that pop and stretch。 After hearing stinging words said to a friend, the young girl listens to understand her feelings。 The rain and wind on her walk home give way to a quiet that allows her to listen to her body and the loving sounds of her family。 The soft illustrations use pops of red for the onomatopoeia and visually supplement the message to listen to what matters。 Back matter explains how listening is different from hearing and how focus affects our attention。 The journey of mindfulness makes this is a great book for individual readers as well as small groups and classes。 。。。more