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It's So Quiet: A Not-Quite-Going-to-Bed Book
A silly, noisy bedtime book that will have readers squealing, croaking, and laughing along before settling down for a quiet night's sleep!
It's time for bed, but one little mouse just can't get to sleep—it's TOO QUIET! However, the night is actually full of sounds, from the croak of the bullfrog to the howl of a coyote on a distant hill. As the rhythmic symphony of nighttime noises build in this rollicking read-aloud, the mouse starts to wonder whether he wouldn't like a little MORE quiet.
• From the bestselling author of the Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site series
• Sweet illustrations by renowned artist Tony Fucile
• A hilarious read-aloud perfect for bedtime or story time
Little readers will delight in the humor and interactivity of It's So Quiet —which concludes by encouraging an appreciation of nighttime's soothing quiet.
• Children's books for kids ages 3–5
• Funny, rhyming picture book
• Perfect for kids who love animals and animal noises
It's time for bed, but one little mouse just can't get to sleep—it's TOO QUIET! However, the night is actually full of sounds, from the croak of the bullfrog to the howl of a coyote on a distant hill. As the rhythmic symphony of nighttime noises build in this rollicking read-aloud, the mouse starts to wonder whether he wouldn't like a little MORE quiet.
• From the bestselling author of the Goodnight, Goodnight, Construction Site series
• Sweet illustrations by renowned artist Tony Fucile
• A hilarious read-aloud perfect for bedtime or story time
Little readers will delight in the humor and interactivity of It's So Quiet —which concludes by encouraging an appreciation of nighttime's soothing quiet.
• Children's books for kids ages 3–5
• Funny, rhyming picture book
• Perfect for kids who love animals and animal noises
56 pages, Hardcover
First published February 23, 2021
13 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Sherri Duskey Rinker
44 books209 followersSherri has returned to her passion of writing to indulge her own children's passions. A graphic designer, she lives in Chicago with her photographer husband, a cockapoo named Quincy, several fish, a few hermit crabs, an ever-changing array of insects in jars, toys in every corner, and two energetic and inquisitive young boys: one fascinated by bugs and magic and another obsessed with trucks and trains. She's constantly inspired -- and often exhausted! She created GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT, CONSTRUCTION SITE in hopes of happier bedtimes and sweet dreams for all.
This is Sherri's first book, and (just in case you think it can't happen!) it was picked from the slush pile.
This is Sherri's first book, and (just in case you think it can't happen!) it was picked from the slush pile.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
November 8, 2022
Very adorable bedtime rhyming story full of beautiful and colorful pictures! Great to read to a sleepy toddler 🥱😴💤💤💤💤 Good night 🐭🐁
October 14, 2022
A really nice book about going to sleep. If you listen to the sounds of the night you will find that they are actually comforting; they are the familiar lulls that connect us to home. This would be a good book to read to a small child who is having trouble falling asleep.
February 23, 2021
Oh wow! My favorite kinds of bed book - lots of repetition and built in YELLING.
(Okay. Fair. I only read these to children in a library setting so they aren't really snuggled up for sleep yet. This might be a first bedtime book before a later quieter one because there's definitely built in yelling.)
(Okay. Fair. I only read these to children in a library setting so they aren't really snuggled up for sleep yet. This might be a first bedtime book before a later quieter one because there's definitely built in yelling.)
February 24, 2021
“Down, down, down, the sun drops behind the hill. The farm is falling quiet. Everything is still. It’s so quiet. ...or is it? This book highlights the sounds we hear on a summer night. As a teacher, I’m thinking of all the writing activities I could incorporate using this mentor text. I think younger readers will enjoy this story.
March 19, 2021
A book with a whole bunch of night time noises and onomatopoeia. The pattern of the sounds repeats several times, so it could be fun for a storytime. And the volume builds, then dies off when the little mouse shouts at everything to be quiet, so that could be fun in the showmanship department.
April 5, 2021
This was such a cool book! Through the spacing and size of the text, I felt the noise grow and grow. Great job, Rinker!!
October 15, 2022
I really liked repeating the sentences from time to time in this book, this is really wonderful and makes the words and sentences take root in the Broca area of the brain😉🙏🏻
May 7, 2021
Fun read-aloud. Bedtime book in rhyme.
January 20, 2022
IT'S SO QUIET is a book about trouble sleeping and all the sounds you can hear at night. A young mouse is feeling sleepless, thinking it is too quiet to sleep. Their mother tells them to just listen, and as they do, they hear a bullfrog, crickets, creaking doors, an owl, their dog's tail, and more sounds. Eventually, they decide it is too loud and call out for everything to be quiet. Then, it is time to sleep!
What I loved: There is a lot of repetition in the book as it runs through the sounds in order a few times. This kind of repetition will work particularly well for young readers. The text includes a lot of sound words as each of the sounds are called out, which also appeals to little ones. Combined with simple illustrations, this book may work best for toddlers. The font is large and easy to read, which is helpful for caregivers to read it aloud.
What left me wanting more: The amount of repetition was a bit much and makes the book a bit long for the intended audience. It ends up feeling like a long read. Additionally, the rhymes are not quite spot-on, making it a little awkward to read in places. I am also not sure about some of these sounds, such as the snoring sound, which I have a hard time imagining and thus reading in a way that sounds right ("snort! bloop-bloop-bloop" which is also repeated twice within each overall repeat).
Final verdict: IT'S SO QUIET is a picture book that may work best for toddlers who like sound words and repetition with mild rhymes.
What I loved: There is a lot of repetition in the book as it runs through the sounds in order a few times. This kind of repetition will work particularly well for young readers. The text includes a lot of sound words as each of the sounds are called out, which also appeals to little ones. Combined with simple illustrations, this book may work best for toddlers. The font is large and easy to read, which is helpful for caregivers to read it aloud.
What left me wanting more: The amount of repetition was a bit much and makes the book a bit long for the intended audience. It ends up feeling like a long read. Additionally, the rhymes are not quite spot-on, making it a little awkward to read in places. I am also not sure about some of these sounds, such as the snoring sound, which I have a hard time imagining and thus reading in a way that sounds right ("snort! bloop-bloop-bloop" which is also repeated twice within each overall repeat).
Final verdict: IT'S SO QUIET is a picture book that may work best for toddlers who like sound words and repetition with mild rhymes.
May 11, 2021
Will read anything with a mouse on the cover.
May 14, 2021
A little mouse isn’t ready to go to sleep and finds that while he is lying in bed, there are a lot of other creatures making all kinds of noises in the night. He eventually becomes so frustrated by all the noises that he has to make his own noise. But, soon, those are the noises that help him fall asleep.
This is another book I read to our great-nephew just before his naptime. He loved the repetitive nature of the story and of course, all the sounds that he got to make. His favorite one for me to make was the wwwwwhoooooossssshhhhh of the breeze through the trees. He liked to say a-woooo liked the coyote. I loved the sound of granddad’s snore, snort! bloop-bloop-bloop. Kids love books that offer an engagement factor and this one has it. With the repetitive text, kids will have a few times to say and repeat all the fun sounds of the night. There is also rhyming in the story, which is good for kids to learn the rhythm of a story, and soon they will be reading along with you.
The illustrations are like chalkboard paint drawings with the dark night sky and then trees, the house, and the animals all standing against the night sky. There is just enough silliness and sleepiness in this book to make this part of your nighttime routine. Reading this and then talking about the various noises your family hears at night would be fun. I know we would list the ice cubes dropping in the freezer, usually the dishwashing humming, and if the windows are open, the frogs in our neighbor’s pond. Be sure to add this cute mouse’s story to your bedtime reading lineup and don’t be afraid to exaggerate the sounds and bring on the giggles.
This is another book I read to our great-nephew just before his naptime. He loved the repetitive nature of the story and of course, all the sounds that he got to make. His favorite one for me to make was the wwwwwhoooooossssshhhhh of the breeze through the trees. He liked to say a-woooo liked the coyote. I loved the sound of granddad’s snore, snort! bloop-bloop-bloop. Kids love books that offer an engagement factor and this one has it. With the repetitive text, kids will have a few times to say and repeat all the fun sounds of the night. There is also rhyming in the story, which is good for kids to learn the rhythm of a story, and soon they will be reading along with you.
The illustrations are like chalkboard paint drawings with the dark night sky and then trees, the house, and the animals all standing against the night sky. There is just enough silliness and sleepiness in this book to make this part of your nighttime routine. Reading this and then talking about the various noises your family hears at night would be fun. I know we would list the ice cubes dropping in the freezer, usually the dishwashing humming, and if the windows are open, the frogs in our neighbor’s pond. Be sure to add this cute mouse’s story to your bedtime reading lineup and don’t be afraid to exaggerate the sounds and bring on the giggles.
February 25, 2021
As the sun sets, the farm gets quiet and still. The moths “shah” against the light until the lamp turns off. A little mouse thinks it’s way too quiet to sleep, but his mother tells him that the sounds of the night will whisper him to sleep. He starts to listen and hears many things in the night. There is a frog singing, crickets chirping, a rattling screen door, wind through the trees, an owl hooting, and much more. Grandpa is snoring on the porch and the dog’s tail is thumping on the boards. When a coyote howls, the little mouse looks out his window to see what that was! He hears all of the noises once more, and then again even louder. The night might be too noisy after all!
Funny and a joy to read aloud, this picture book will quickly become a bedtime favorite. The book is filled with noises that should be great fun for both the reader and the listener to contribute to, since they repeat several times in the book. Expect enthusiastic frog croaks, wind whooshes, and more. It’s also a book that will have children listening in their own beds to the noises of the night around them.
The illustrations add to the fun with the serenity of the night clear at first and then quickly moving to a zany pitch and pace visually as the noises pick up. The natural setting is shown simply, allowing the various elements to repeat visually as well. Readers will see the frog, owl, crickets and coyote from the very first page.
Bedtime giggles galore. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
Funny and a joy to read aloud, this picture book will quickly become a bedtime favorite. The book is filled with noises that should be great fun for both the reader and the listener to contribute to, since they repeat several times in the book. Expect enthusiastic frog croaks, wind whooshes, and more. It’s also a book that will have children listening in their own beds to the noises of the night around them.
The illustrations add to the fun with the serenity of the night clear at first and then quickly moving to a zany pitch and pace visually as the noises pick up. The natural setting is shown simply, allowing the various elements to repeat visually as well. Readers will see the frog, owl, crickets and coyote from the very first page.
Bedtime giggles galore. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
February 23, 2021
Sherri Dusky Rinker, author of GOODNIGHT, GOODNIGHT CONSTRUCTION SITE and many others titles in that series, has created another charming story full of delightful language with rhymes, repetition and onomatopoeias filling every page. Both Sherri’s words and Tony Fucile’s endearing illustrations help us to imagine a still, summer evening on a cozy little farm nestled in the woods. It’s time for a sleepy mama mouse to tuck her wide awake little one into bed, with the assurance “the small sweet sounds of nighttime will whisper you to sleep… listen.” But we quickly come to understand a night in the country isn’t “so quiet”.
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You’ll have so much fun reading this to your little ones, ages 2-5. You’ll soon be making all of the sounds together and sharing giggles on every page. This is one you’ll want to order or add to your library holds list NOW. Many thanks to @Chroniclebooks for sharing the review copy.
October 22, 2025
Browsing books to give my friends' children as gifts since I won't gift anything I haven't first read myself.
Understand me when I say that I really wanted to love this book. The premise was spot on, with night only seeming quiet until you truly become still and listen to it. That is the foundation for a great sleepy bedtime read. And that's where things go off the rails for me. The sounds in the book were a little...bewildering, at times. The rhymes fell in that awkward space where they were sometimes not quite a rhyme but so close to one that they failed to roll comfortably off the tongue. The repetition was fun the first time...and after that, it got annoying -- and I only read it through once and couldn't imagine having to read it multiple times. Two stars for a great book idea and excellent illustrations. That's all I can say.
Understand me when I say that I really wanted to love this book. The premise was spot on, with night only seeming quiet until you truly become still and listen to it. That is the foundation for a great sleepy bedtime read. And that's where things go off the rails for me. The sounds in the book were a little...bewildering, at times. The rhymes fell in that awkward space where they were sometimes not quite a rhyme but so close to one that they failed to roll comfortably off the tongue. The repetition was fun the first time...and after that, it got annoying -- and I only read it through once and couldn't imagine having to read it multiple times. Two stars for a great book idea and excellent illustrations. That's all I can say.
January 9, 2022
It's time for Little Mouse to go to bed but there is so much noise outside. After listening to wind, an owl, snoring, a wagging dog tail, crickets, a bullfrog and a coyote howl, Mouse throws up the window to demand what all the racket is. When Mouse asks "What was that?" all of the noises are repeated, but louder. Again Mouse asks the same question and the sequence is repeated even louder. Finally Mouse shouts "Be quiet!!! I'm trying to sleep!" all grows quiet.
This one will be hilarious for storytime. Children will get the hang of the repetition and will enjoy playing along, especially when it gets really loud. Highly recommended for storytime.
This one will be hilarious for storytime. Children will get the hang of the repetition and will enjoy playing along, especially when it gets really loud. Highly recommended for storytime.
December 28, 2021
Not much of a story itself - a little mouse going to bed is listening to all the nighttime noises. I liked the illustrations, especially little mouse's facial expressions. This would be a fun one for a storytime on bedtimes, night, night animals, etc. Or for a 'bedtime' read at the beginning of a Stuffed Animal Sleepover. There's nice repetition built into the story, giving a chance for lots of noisy audience participation (especially since the noises build - loud storytime participation, always fun!)
May 24, 2021
This will make a wonderful addition to the "getting ready for bed" story time collection. There is repetition and rhyming and - most importantly - shouting! Kids love to shout during story time. Also - I have often been asked for books that demonstrate onomatopoeia and this would be a great book for that. And for listening to sounds in the night and figuring out what they are. Such a fun and versatile book!
February 18, 2021
This is such a cute and fun book! I wasn't sure what to expect from a picture book claiming it was so quiet. It had great repetition, introducing different sounds you hear at nighttime. But most of all, I love how this book is heavily associated with summer (like moths brushing up against a light, crickets chirping, etc.)
March 28, 2021
It's bedtime and a sleepy mother mouse is trying to get a sleepless mouse to go to sleep, but the little mouse is hyperaware of all the nighttime noises. This is a very active bedtime story book with lots of rhyming activity and plenty of repetitive nighttime sounds to imitate. A fun book to share, but maybe not the last book to share before bedtime!
May 15, 2021
I loved the onomatopoeia in this one - it would be great for a lesson on that - teachers take note. I really liked the start and part of the middle, but I guess I didn't love the repetitive middle section (the noises the young mouse hears, all repeat 2 times after the first time). The end was sweet enough.
May 25, 2021
This is a super fun book for a bed time themed story time or night life story time. I loved all the different noises that Little Mouse hears as he is trying to get to sleep. I love how the illustration and font of the book made it "move" and create a sense of intentional speeding up in the narrator/readers voice.
June 22, 2021
3.5 I feel like I want to like this more than I actually do. I like Fucile's artwork here. It gives this a different feel than Rinker's other books. The sound effects also make it a lot of fun to read out loud. Still, my experience while reading through the book felt somehow less than the sum of its parts, which is frustrating.
November 25, 2021
Loved this book and the illustrations. A very sweet book about a little mouse in the country who is trying to sleep but all of the sounds around him make it harder to sleep. The sound effects in this book and the repetitive nature would be soothing for a bedtime story and likely one that kids would ask for over and over again.
December 17, 2024
This is one of my and my kids' favorite picture books. We wore through our first copy, and loved it so much we bought another. The concept is great, and it is very fun to read. The illustrations are adorable and perfectly complement the text. This is a repetitive book, but that is what makes it so creative.
March 21, 2021
Not a fan of onomatopoeia books personally, but I know kids love them. But if your kids love The Book with No Pictures and beg you to read nightly, try this one. Will be lots of fun with an adult who can ham it up.
March 31, 2021
The sun has nestled behind the mountain and it's bedtime, but one little mouse is restless in his bed because "it's so quiet" says the little mouse. But as he settles under the covers the night proves that if you listen carefully, the night isn't as quiet as it seems to be.
April 22, 2021
Can't wait to try this in a bedtime story time, with all the sound effects and onomatopoeia. The pictures, even though it is set at night, are still clear and bold enough to use in a story time. It's a little long for my story time crowd, but I want to try it out.
May 19, 2021
This is an entertaining bedtime story about a mouse who thinks it's too quiet to go to sleep. As the story progresses, the night sounds begin to gain momentum until it's so noisy the mouse can't sleep. The book is filled with onomatopoeia that youngsters are sure to enjoy.
November 2, 2021
It's time for Mouse to go to sleep. At first it's quiet. "It's too quiet!" Mouse shouts.
And then the night noises begin.
And they get louder...and louder...
...and louder...until Mouse must protest again.
Perfect for talking about onomatopoeia. And just good fun.
And then the night noises begin.
And they get louder...and louder...
...and louder...until Mouse must protest again.
Perfect for talking about onomatopoeia. And just good fun.
August 11, 2022
It was okay. Illustrations are alright. Lots of repetition of sounds, but I didn't understand the window going up part. That was weird. The little mouse is cute. Overall it was only okay. It wasn't bad, but I'm not a big fan.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews