Willow's Whispers

by Lana Button, Tania Howells (Illustrator)

A captivating picture book about a very soft-spoken little girl’s ultimately successful struggle to find her own voice.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Realistic Fiction, School, Canada, Fiction

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2010

About the author

Lana Button is an award-winning children's author of several picture books as well as a presenter and early childhood educator. The New York Times describes Lana's book TOUGH LIKE MUM (Tundra, 2021) as a "tender tale that imparts that asking for help shows toughness too." Kirkus says the book is "powerful in its vulnerability."
Lana's super fun read-aloud THE COW SAID BOO! (Pajama Press, 2021) is described by Kirkus as "an infectious seasonal read-aloud."
Her first book, WILLOW'S WHISPERS (Kids Can Press, 2010) was described by Kirkus as "A victory for any reader who struggles to be heard, even metaphorically"
Lana strives to support, inspire and entertain her young readers. The Globe and Mail said, "It's easy to forget that my kids think their problems are as massive as I think my own are. Button never does. To her enormous credit, she's written a book that speaks directly to their experience."
When Lana isn't writing for young children, she can often be found presenting messages of empathy, resilience and understanding to children through virtual and in-person author visits. She believes that now, more than ever, we can all use a little more story time!

Reviews

[Martine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminds me of myself when I was a kid. As the youngest in my family I had problems making myself heard over the loud and laughing voices of my older sisters.

[Melissa Ortega · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willow's Whispers is a book pertaining to the main character Willow struggling to speak up, putting her shyness on the spotlight. Throughout the book it shows various scenes of Willow trying to get her voice out but struggles and is unheard by everyone even her teacher. But coming to her home, her dad comforts her and encourages her to be nothing less than herself. Which results in Willow creating an invention to be heard and is a success until it breaks apart. But by then Willow says no more and projects her voice loud enough to be heard by all her classmates and teacher. The theme throughout the book seems to be pushing outside your comfort zone even if it means creating your own objects to achieve this. Following with my personal response of what an inspiration for children that knowledge can go into trying to better themselves even with materials you find at home. The reason I would recommend this book would be because it could be either a window or mirror for students. A great discussion as a group and for students to critically think with their peers.

[Sarah Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willow’s Whisper is about a little girl who is shy and doesn’t speak up in class. Everyone talks over her and no one listens to her when she talks. She gets really sad that the teacher and her peers don’t listen to her and pick her for activities or being the line leader. After a while, Willow decides that she is going to get out of her comfort zone and be loud. She uses a cone that helps her speak up and she ends up so happy. The major theme in this book is that not everyone is loud and outgoing, which is okay, and kids have to work on getting out of their comfort zone.

My personal response to this text is that I absolutely love this book because this was me in elementary school. I know that some kids really struggle with their shyness, but this book shows them that it’s okay to be quiet but also help them find their voice. This is also why I recommend this book. It is a good book to read as any student, loud and quiet.

[Traci · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and sweet. I was hoping it might be a good story for my 4.5 yo daughter who often whispers when she’s uncomfortable. I thought there were some good moments and I appreciated the story. What I didn’t like about it was the fact that it seemed to put all of the emphasis on Willow’s need to “find her voice.” At no point in the story is anyone else making any accommodations for her or helping her through. I thought the story could have included more kindness from her peers and teachers to show support and help to her.

[Scot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Touching story of how a little shy girl wasn't using her brave and confident voice to be heard in her classroom. Therefore she was being left out of a lot of things, and ending up feeling sorry for herself. She builds a magic microphone that summons the courage deep inside her and makes her voice strong and true, until it gets broken. But somehow she wiggles her brave voice out without the use of the microphone and finally gets to be line leader and the class cheers.

[Cheira Combs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book looked good to me because it was about a gurl in class who didn’t have confidence. She eventually found her voice to speak up for what she wanted. I think this is a great book for students to read so that they can either find their voice or so that they can be aware of others who need to find their voice.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three months after reading this one, my 4 1/2 year old decided to make a magic microphone to take to school, and she spoke in a whisper to her teacher for the first time, after nearly 5 months. So I'll take the win!

[Smita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book about a timid girl who finds her voice.

[JoAnne Richards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Willow. She is such a sweet shy little thing and I'm so glad she gets brave.

[정진 장]

2021 Jan.
Whispering voice like my Anna... I need to be more patient like this writer....

[Nadia L. Hohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun and relatable story. I was a soft-spoken child and saw myself in Willow. I am loving this series.

[Thaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I once as meek as willow in my school. To be seen, heard, and appreciated for who you are is amazing😌

[Grace Strash · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, by Lana Button is an inspirational story about Willow finding her voice throughout all of her struggles. Willow goes through school being misunderstood and unheard by everyone at school because of her quietness. She finds strength in her dads encouraging words of hope that she will find her voice. This gives Willow the courage and she comes up with an invention that helps her with her struggle, but things don't always go as planned. In a time of need her invention brakes and she too must break away from her shyness and find her voice in this nerve-racking moment. The theme throughout the book would be courage and perseverance. I would give this book a 5 star rating because it shows young readers how to be strong in the circumstances of being shy. I really enjoyed this book and how the author shows how to deal with overcoming difficulties. Not only do I feel more inspired after reading this but I have more of a sense of empathy for those who are struggling with being shy. I feel like if after I read this book and felt inspired I think younger kids reading this will feel the same way. If I were a young student who was shy or quiet this book would definitely be an encouraging read. I would recommend this book to teachers because it is an inspirational story on a child and I feel like children can relate to this.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little girl named Willow had a very whispery voice, so quiet no one could hear her - except her father who understood. At school she devised a way to be heard and soon found her strong voice. Nicely illustrated.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willow’s voice was never any louder than a whisper. She wished it were louder because no one in her class could hear her speak. She got the wrong juice at snack, couldn’t tell others that she was playing with the toys, and never got picked as line leader because she couldn’t speak up. Her father knew that her voice was inside her and would find its way out. The next morning, Willow got up and made a magic microphone. When she spoke into it, her voice was strong and loud. She could speak to her classmates and ask for what she wanted. But disaster struck at the end of the day when the microphone was crushed. Could Willow find her her voice in time to be line leader?

Written with an understanding of being shy and the effort it takes to overcome, Button has captured the shy, quiet child perfectly here. The loving relationship between Willow and her father is also worth noting. He does not pressure her to change, rather it is her own decision and creativity that bring it about. Howell’s illustrations make great use of white space. They have a simple design and child-like feel to them that really works well.

This book will really speak loudly to those who are quiet. It also offers a window of understanding to those who aren’t. Appropriate for ages 3-5.

[Nielson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story about a little girl named Willow whose voice is never louder than a whisper. Because no one can hear what she is saying, she never gets what she asks for at school. After her dad gives her some encouraging words at night, she comes up with a plan....a MAGIC MICROPHONE! She tries it out the next day and it works! Everyone can hear Willow so she gets apple juice instead of orange juice; she gets to be the line leader finally! But all of her excitement at being heard comes crashing down when her microphone breaks....can Willow still find it in her to be heard?? The illustrations weren't my favorite. They are very simple and basic, but still add color and detail to the story. I did love how the fonts and the size of the words made you feel as if you could actually hear what was going on in the story. Everytime Willow spoke, the text would be very small, but when she used her magic microphone, it was big. The book also makes me wonder if the quiet, shy kids at school are really trying to be heard?!

[Margo Tanenbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very well-done book about a shy little girl whose words always come out in whispers, leading to a whole host of troubles at school, including having to drink orange juice at snack when she really wants apple juice, just because no one can hear her. When Willow makes a magic microphone out of materials from the recycling bin, her problems are temporarily solved--until the microphone falls apart. In the end, Willow learns to make herself heard. The book features charming, very simple but whimsical illustrations, and the graphic design uses varying font sizes to suggest Willow's whispers or talking loudly with the "microphone" in a very effective way. A good read-aloud for preschool and kindergarten children.

[Patricia Tilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lana Button has written a powerful book for shy children. I like how the font in the text becomes very tiny every time Willow speaks to exaggerate Willows painfully shy voice. I love that Willow is so desperate to have friends and participate in school activities, that she tries to find a solution to help herself. She makes the magic microphone and practices so that she can project her voice. This is an excellent book to read in the classroom because many children will relate to Willow and it teaches them about compassion! Tania Howells simple digital characters are colorful, whimsical and show Willow’s longing to be heard. I especially love the cover where Willow is only half on the page emphasizing the book theme.

[Victoria McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book about a little girl who can't help but whisper. She gets discouraged that a lot of people can't hear what she says and she looks for a solution to make her speak louder. Eventually, she speaks louder all on her own. This story shares a message of perseverance. Willow tries and tries until she can find a way to speak louder. I think this story is relatable to kids because even I used to make a microphone out of a toilet paper roll. It is a cool little story about a kid who is trying to find a better way to overcome her faults. I think children would really enjoy this story because its cute and it has a happy ending. She can do it all by herself. Kids have to overcome obstacles all the time.

[Green Bean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shy Willow has trouble speaking up and letting her wishes and needs be heard by others. As a result, she often finds herself overlooked and left out at school. To solve her problem Willow creates a magic microphone that helps her project her voice and gain confidence. When her microphone breaks, however, Willow must reach for her growing inner-strength to express herself on her own and conquer her shyness.
Willow’s Whispers is a perfect book to encourage shy children to find their voice.

[Jo ☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willow's words come out only in whispers which creates many problems for her at school, until Willow comes up with a way to make her words come out loud. (A nod to recycling here, yay!) Willow's plan is only a temporary fix though and Willow must find another way to have her voice heard.

Oh this was just too cute. I was drawn to this book because it reminded me a lot of myself when I was little. It's such a great book for shy, quiet children and just might help them find their own voice.

Very simple but sweet illustrations.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willow is a very quiet kindergarten-aged girl who hasn't quite found her voice yet. She finds herself frustrated by her inability to make her wants and needs heard, but with a little creativity and a lot of bravery she ultimately finds her voice. The illustrations are very simple and childlike, but use line-drawings and bright, solid colours to good effect. Sidebar: This is the only story, in my 8 years as an elementary librarian, for which I have ever received a standing ovation and immediate requests to re-read from a Kindergarten audience.

[Michelle Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

The BEST book for shy children, especially those 3-8 ears old. The technique in the book is also a great activity for teachers to do with their class at the beginning of the year when they may still have jitters. This book reminds me of my super shy daughter whom was taught sign language in pre-k to make sure she went to the restroom when she needed to. Such a cute book with such wonderful pictures. I will definitely recommend this to my fellow teachers!

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a gentle book for all those young people who want to be part of things but are just too shy to speak up. I particularly like the loving, supportive way her father understands Willow, his explanation of why she speaks in whispers, and his steady certainty that one day she will find her big voice.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. Willow speaks so softly at school that no one hears her, not even her own teacher, who pours her orange juice and Willow asks for apple juice in her whisper.
At home, Willow's father knows his child's whispers and doesn't ask "What?" or "Pardon?" He hears her clearly and tells her that one day her her "big, strong voice" will come out.. and it does.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pre-K to Grade 2. Willow is so shy, she can barely talk above a whisper. As a result, things don't always go the way she wants them too. She gets stuck with orange juice instead of apple juice, sits by herself and gets left out of classroom activities. But with the help of a toilet paper tube (her microphone!)-- Willow learns to speak up and be heard.

[Nancy]

Willow's words always come out in whispers. At school she just can't seem to make her wishes heard. Finally, she gets the idea of making a Magic Microphone so she can be heard. It works at first, but when it breaks, Willow discovers she has an even better solution. This was a book about a brave and creative student who overcame her problems. A hit with our students!

[Kelly Triplett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confidence, courage, shyness, and friendship are some of the lessons that can be enhanced with a reading of this book. Everyone feels a little shy or intimidated at one time or another, this story allows its readers to see this feeling is not uncommon. Great story for the beginning of the school year.

[Tasasha Battle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a little girl named Willow who has the smallest and softest voice. She wants to interact with other students, but cannot seem to find her loud voice. This book can show students the effect of font size when writing. It can create a voice within the reader from the character. Also, this can help the reader become part of the story and the feelings of Willow.

[Nance · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little preachy with illustrations that were too simplistic. I also thought the text placement and organization could have been better, although I liked the different sized font to symbolize volume.