Quiet

by Tomie dePaola

Tomie dePaola reminds us that mindfulness—being quiet, still, and present with one another—is a very special thing.

Everything is in such a hurry, busy as busy can be.
The birds are flying so fast, the dragonfly is zooming over the water—even the trees are waving their leaves.

So what if we sit here, you next to me…and we can just be?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nature, Family, Fiction, Storytime, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 9, 2018

About the author

Tomie dePaola (pronounced Tommy da-POW-la) was best known for his books for children.

He had a five-decade writing and illustrating career during which he published more than 270 books, including 26 Fairmount Avenue, Strega Nona, and Meet the Barkers.

Tomie dePaola and his work have been recognized with the Caldecott Honor Award, the Newbery Honor Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and the New Hampshire Governor's Arts Award of Living Treasure.

Reviews

[Schizanthus Nerd · Rating 3 out of 5]

As far as I can tell this is my first Tomie dePaola read. It’s a nice book but it didn’t really grab me. A grandfather is walking in the park with his grandchildren and points out how busy all of the animals are. He encourages his grandchildren to sit on the park bench with him and appreciate being quiet and still because “To be quiet and still is a special thing.”

The illustrations are fairly simple and sweet, with plenty of animals to look at. Although I like the message of this book I don’t know how much the target audience would actually appreciate it, especially without some further explanation from the adult reading it to them. While this author appears to be quite prolific and popular I don’t think their books are for me. I’m rounding up from 2.5 stars.

[R. C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised my busy three- and one-year-olds liked this book so much. DePaola did a masterful job of explaining being still and listening for spirit. Just enough words and absorbing pictures. I was able to use this to explain the idea of silent worship in a Friends meeting.

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tomie dePaola's illustrations were always subtle in their sense of wonder, so it's not surprising that he created a picture book celebrating the pleasures of silence. Most books are judged on originality and skillful writing, but Quiet invites readers to revel in the absence of story, the pure bliss of being. It's a reminder we all can benefit from.

On a short walk from their house, the grandfather notices how frantic with activity nature is today, bees and birds flying at top speed. The boy and girl notice their dog bounding after a ball the girl tosses, a frog leaping high into the pond, and a dragonfly winging low over the water's surface. Even the trees wave their arms in the wind. The grandfather decides not to be so hurried today. He, the boy, and the girl sit on a bench to watch the insects, amphibians, birds, and small mammals nearby. While they observe, silence wraps the day in a shroud of contemplative beauty. "I can think, when I'm quiet", the girl realizes. A speechless sojourn in the comfortable recesses of your own headspace encourages thoughts to come that might be chased away by the busyness of a typical day. Engaging those thoughts allows you to really get to know yourself. The boy and girl may not do anything today they'll remember years from now, but they discover something precious just by sitting with their grandfather. As the book's last line reflects, "To be quiet and still is a special thing."

Quiet isn't a book I love like Tomie dePaola's Nana Upstairs and Nana Downstairs or his 26 Fairmount Avenue series, but it's a nice experience that appeals to a different side of a child than most books dare to. The lack of flash is purposeful and absolute, and the result is a story you can return to anytime you need the mental reboot of a few minutes' peace and relaxation. I hope Quiet finds its way into the hands of every young reader with the insight to appreciate it.

[Melki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though I like the idea of encouraging children to sit quietly, and appreciate their surroundings, the grandfather in this book annoyed me. He criticizes birds and insects for moving too quickly instead of taking it easy. While this could lead to a nice discussion about how creatures must spend most of their awake hours gathering food instead of lying in hammocks with cold glasses of iced tea, I still wanted to smack Grandpa.

[Dena McMurdie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved this author, but I think this is one of my favorite books of his. It's a celebration of quiet time, slowing down, and taking a moment to appreciate nature.

A grandfather and his grandchildren notice that everything is busy. The grandfather teaches the kids about enjoying the moment and letting nature soak into your soul.

It's a lovely book with gorgeous illustrations. It's perfect if you're looking for books about meditation or disconnecting from a busy world.

Source: The publisher sent me a copy of this book.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by the author who wrote the well loved book Strega Nona, this book has a simple depth to it that, even as an adult, I quite appreciated. I didn’t know what my five year old would think of it, since it’s a quick read, but as soon as we finished the last page she declared that she liked it and wanted to read it again. The message is simple, but one that I think children should be taught. It’s about slowing down, being quiet for a while, and realizing how still and silent moments can lead to special discoveries.

[Melody Schwarting · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely invitation into quietude. As a quiet kid I would have felt affirmed by this book. It's not preachy but invites slowing down and meditating. Lovely!

[Chance Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A peaceful story about taking time to rest and think, one that speaks to today's fast-paced society but in a retro way -- no technology is present -- that reminds us that life has always been fast-paced, and sitting and being quiet needs to be a conscious choice. The text is a smidge didactic -- "I can think, when I'm quiet" a girl says (which isn't being quiet at all!) but the artwork is nice.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence: "My, oh my," the grandfather said. "Everything is in such a hurry."

Premise/plot: One thing I love about picture books is that often what you see is what you get. This is a story celebrating quietness and stillness. A grandfather is on a walk with his grandchildren and a dog. Once the grandfather points out how 'everything' is in a hurry, they all take turns pointing out the busyness they see in nature as they walk along. But soon it is time to sit down and rest, to slow down their minds and bodies, to just be still. Just as nature can be busy, it can also be restful.

My thoughts: I liked this one. I agree with the conclusion--the moral, if you will--of this one: To be quiet and still is a special thing. There is a timelessness to this one which makes it somewhat unique. I think Mr. Rogers would approve of this one!

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 4 out of 5
Total: 8 out of 10

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

While we are big fans of Tomie dePaola over here, and this book offers some of his intriguing and insightful illustrations...reading this book aloud is, well, kind of boring.

I like that it is helping to teach little ones the beauty and art of stillness and quiet and how we think and see better, especially in nature, when we are still and quiet. But it's just not a keeper/read many times over book.

[Lin Lin · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is nothing like a grandparent's love. This book shows it in its own unique form. Grandpa shared his wisdom with the children that being quiet and still are special moments in our life. When we are quiet and still, we can see and think. Such mindfulness is so rare and yet so important in classrooms and families today before "business and distraction"engulfed us all.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

How beautifully simple and well-delivered! De Paola is one of my favorite children’s authors, especially for his Strega Nona books, and this one is simpler but no less enchanting. Not only was I enchanted as I read it aloud, my class of wiggly 3 year-olds stayed amazingly still and quiet too, and were very calm and happy at the end.

[Joey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tomie dePaola is 84 years old. He's a national treasure. If this is his swan song, it's a nice one to go out on.

[Linda Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

“To be quiet and still is a special thing”. I think these days this is a wonderful reminder to us all.

[Anna Smithberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely and gentle

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't really care for this book. I think it's quiet and a bit boring.

[Kris Dersch · Rating 4 out of 5]

It would be easy to let this one go by and not see its beauty, but it is a slow, beautiful, intergenerational invitation to sit down and slow down in nature in order to really see and hear. Lovely. Any age could use this reason to embrace quiet.

[Jessica Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always Tomie dePaola's illustrations are lovely. And this book gets five stars for being an excellent wind down, quiet, gentle bedtime book to read with children.

[Tracy Schillemore · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book shows how nice it is to be quiet. You can think and see better when your still and quiet. Good book for old people to read to children.

[Shiloah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple and clear message about being quiet and still. Good reminder.

[Lbsantini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felt my shoulders unclench as I read it.

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quiet by Tomie dePaola, PICTURE BOOK. Simon and Schuster, 2018. $18. 9781481477543

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

A grandfather points out how everything seems to be in such a hurry! The birds are flying fast, the bees are working so hard, the dog is running around, even the leaves on the trees are waving. "Let's not be so busy" he says and invites the children to sit on a bench with him. The children recognize how nice it is when everything calms down. "To be quiet and still is a special thing."

Tomie dePaola has given us a lovely, simple book. His sweet illustrations perfectly complement the text, and the message that we need to slow down and experience quiet is timely and important.

Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story to remind us to enjoy times of quiet in our busy lives.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mindfulness, meditation, and the joys of nature for the youngest.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Earlier this week, Tomie dePaola’s newest book, Quiet, released, and it lives up to expectations set by his many, many wonderful books that came before.
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Illustrated in dePaola’s signature style, Quiet takes readers on a walk with what we assume is a grandfather (who looks remarkably like dePaola…) and his two grandchildren. The grandfather pauses to point out how everything around them, not the people but even the animals, seems to be in a hurry. From there, the trio stops to sit, to be still, to be quiet, and to be with each other. In the end, they realize that “to be quiet and still is a special thing.” The illustrations are colorful and vibrant, but still peaceful, with lots of white space in most of the full-page spreads; the text is sparse yet intentional and powerful on each page.
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Though I try to be diligent about having lots of down time in my girls’ lives, between the different schedules we have it can be hard to actually stop, sit, and be quiet— especially to do so with each other! While my girls enjoy the calm of this book, as well as pointing out the details of dePaola’s illustrations, we’ve all enjoyed the challenge to be still and to enjoy being still… Which, to be honest, is difficult for me to do!
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Do yourself and your children a favor and check this book out. Find a time to read it together, and then find a time to just “be” together. Enjoy each other’s presence, and notice what you can think and see when you stop to be quiet.
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Publishers recommend for ages 4-8, but this can definitely be enjoyed younger and would make a great mentor text for talking with older children about mindfulness and slowing down!

[Liz McCrane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quiet is a fictional book about, what’s assumed to be, a grandfather and his grandchildren (boy and girl) out on a walk. The grandfather mentions that everything seems to be in a hurry, from the birds flying, a dog chasing a ball, a frog jumping, dragonflies zooming over the water, and trees waving their leaves. He then suggests that they all sit down and take a rest. The children began to realize that they can think when they’re quiet and they can see when they’re sill. In conclusion, the grandfather says “to be quiet and still is a special thing.”

Themes in this book include relaxation and observation. By relaxing and observing, the children were able to see things that didn’t while they were more active.

I definitely appreciate this book as I know with our phones attached to our hands nowadays, it’s rare for us to sit, be still, and take in everything going on around us. I feel we appreciate life and ourselves when we take that time to disconnect.

I would recommend this book, however, I feel it lacks the ability to draw a reader in. It’s very simple in it’s text and pictures, but maybe it was meant for children at a very low reading level. There’s also no details about who the characters are. It’s really just a book about taking time to be still. Regardless, I do think it’s a good book and I would recommend it but just don’t expect a lot of depth to it!

[Freya Hooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: Quiet

Author: Romie dePaola

Target: Preschool – Kindergarten

What this book is about:

A grandfather (who looks eerily similar to the author/illustrator) is walking with his grandkids outside. They notice all the animals who are in such a hurry. However, when a bench presents itself, they have a seat and observe the animals who are also taking a break from their daily activities. A chance to think and to see the world around them offers a special time together.

Why I love this book:

Quiet has a place in our daily lives just like all the other activities that spur us forward. This is a lovely way to remind kids how nice quiet can be. The simple illustrations and text enhance that feeling.
This book has so many jumping off places for more in-depth conversations. I could see using it to reference things you see in your walks with your own kids as well as talking about the things they observe in nature.

Who this book is for:

Great for all kids. If you are unfamiliar with Tomie dePaola his books always remind me of Eric Carle, not that they are the same, but the simplicity of the message and illustrations are reminiscent of one another.

Final thoughts:

This is not my usual fare, but I could easily see reading this book over and over again to my kids when they were small.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 3 out of 5]

With a lovely simpleness, this book peeks at the busy world,invites to sit back and take a peaceful rest.

The cover already hints at the atmosphere found in the pages of this calming read. Every moment takes a look at nature—the buzzing bees, playing dog, and zooming dragonflies. The scenes are concentrated and uncomplicated, keeping the attention on each part of nature which is being addressed. Each two-page spread is accompanied by one or two lines of short text. Especially younger listeners can easily follow along and recognize the scenes.

The illustrations are created with watercolors and have a simple, personal touch—a style which won't be appreciated by everyone. But the gentle tones and lines fit nicely to the intended message.

It's a calming read-aloud and invites listeners to take the time to watch nature. The 'busy' moments didn't always carry a sense of hectic, but the last pages hit home. Especially those in search of more mindfulness will enjoy this tale.

I received a complimentary copy and found it calming. So I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.

[SJ L · Rating 4 out of 5]

These day one thing even more common than head-scratching tweets from elected people are digital distractions. Noises emerging from computer phones. Notifications popping in the top right corner of screens. It has always been hard to learn how to focus and calm the mind, but it’s never been this hard.
Which is why Quiet is a beautiful story. It’s about 5 sentences long, a timely and timeless message packed into a conversation between a grandfather and two children. The moral of the story? Yes, there is commotion, and yes, it seems to be constant. So, stop, pause, and rest. That slows the mind and allows you to see what is truly there – peace.
That’s one of the funny spiritual ironies. You don’t have to rush through life chasing things you want. You just have to stop, strip the ego, and see God’s universe is this moment. You can rush, you can charge through life like it’s a to-do-list and an Easter egg hunt for possessions, or you can pause, surrender, and recognize the perfection that is.

[Paul Rondema · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an adult, one of my favorite books from the past year is Quiet by Tomie dePaola.

I remember hearing and reading (and loving) Tomie dePaola’s books when I was a child which was a long, long time ago, so I was kind of surprised to learn he is still writing and illustrating books. I began to read Quiet not knowing if his work would still hold the same magic that it did in my youth. If anything, I think I like this book more than I liked Strega Nona or his Book of Bible Stories.

Quiet follows a grandfather and two children as they step away from the hustle and bustle of their hectic lives and sit, paying attention to what they see and hear. They allow themselves to be in the moment rather than caught up in the craziness of their lives. The book is a gentle reminder for everyone that it’s healthy to step back from our often hectic lives and just be in the moment.

I recommend Quiet for ages 4 to 7.

For more recommendations, visit https://paulrondemachildrensauthor.wo...