I Don't Want to Be Quiet!

by Laura Ellen Anderson

From the excellent Laura Ellen Anderson, this is a very funny picture book about taking notice of the quieter things in life.

Stairs are for STOMPING,
spoons are for DRUMMING,
and when my mum's working,
I help her by HUMMING.

Making noise is a LOT of fun … but what happens when you take the time to really listen to your world around you? Perfect for little people who love banging and popping, and whizzing and fizzing.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Juvenile, Fiction, Family, Growth Mindset

32 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2020

About the author

Laura Ellen Anderson is the illustrator of several books for children, as well as the author-illustrator of the graphic novel Evil Emperor Penguin. Laura Ellen Anderson lives in London.

Reviews

[Stephani · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yep, really giving this one star. At first, I was thrilled to find a book that celebrated making noise, a book with a sensory-seeking child! but then it turned into a "quiet in the library book" and I HATE that. I want the children who visit my library to enjoy their time inside, to equate the library with fun, and joy, and laughter, not being reprimanded for being themselves. Bah, it just drives me nuts when books use the "quiet in the library trope.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

Filled with the exuberance of childhood, this book is very helpful. The main character, a little bit that has all the energy of a perky bomb about to go off, bounces through the first pages showing her happy enthusiasm for how things ought to be. That is to say, loud. All things make noise (including her) and they all should be getting to it. . .as she should be herself! She did remind me of me. All my lower grade report cards mentioned how chatty and loud I was. . . but then she discovered the giant "SHHHH!" of a library and what compliance brings. . . .a quiet adventure all its own.

My group of devoted library-goers appreciated the message and wholly approved this book choice.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very inspiring children's book that shows how it is to be yougn and full of energy and NOISE. The little girl loves to be loud at home, school and even the library until.....she discovers books! Then she is finally able to be quiet while reading because her brain is being LOUD enjoying adventures!

Would make a great story time book or one to read with your young ones. You can be LOUD during the LOUD parts.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for an eARC of this book!

I will definitely be purchasing this book! It would be an excellent read aloud for teachers and librarians. Even for mommies and daddies with an especially loud kiddo. I highly recommend this title!

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter (almost 3) loves this book and keeps asking for it. She always giggles with glee when the protagonist says "I want to be LOUD!" She definitely identifies with this little person who always wants to be loud no matter the circumstances.

The main character is embarrassed when everyone shushes her in the library when she goes too far with her loudness, but then she picks up a book and finds that a lot of action can be going on in the book and in her imagination while the real world stays quiet. The next day she appreciates the quiet more and realizes there is value in learning and listening, however there are still plenty of places to express herself and be loud!

Some reviewers did not like the shaming/peer pressure aspect of this book. I can see that point, however, this is also a natural consequence of being so loud in a library. Although she was embarrassed for a moment, she quickly moved on and learned a lot. This is something that all kids have to learn.

I also saw someone say that this book would be better with a male protagonist because women are always encouraged to be quiet and I think that's an excellent point.

[Jaime · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess this book didn't sit well with me because I have a very boisterous daughter and a.) just because she tends to be noisy doesn't mean she is incapable of listening, b.) I don't like that essentially shame is what brought her (the main character) to consider a book/being quiet/other people's feelings, and c.) kids like this tend to have different sensory needs and those needs are not "wrong" just because they are inconvenient or against the rules. I have read other books about loud children (example Natsumi!) and they have more to do with acceptance from a loved one, finding a balance, and shining *as you are*. In a way, sure, this book includes a balanced take and I know my daughter definitely has those "oops I was too loud again I JUST CAN'T HELP IT" moments, but I wish that balance had been encouraged through connection and empathy-building rather than being SHUSHED.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I appreciate the message of quieting your mind and your body to appreciate the little things in life and also to allow you to learn, I worry that it's also subtly sending the message to young people, girls especially, that they shouldn't speak up. So this is a book that adults will need to walk a fine line with.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right away I'm so impressed with how the heroine is pictured on the cover. Not only is the illustration beautifully colorful, with whimsical fashion choices bestowed upon her by the illustrator (and author) Laura Ellen Anderson.

But look at that girl's expression and body language. She's not furious. Not even mildly angry. This girl is simply full of life. That's how she's saying, "I Don't Want to Be Quiet."

In addition to all the excellent reasons supplied in this FIVE STAR book, excellent reasons for making noise, I'd like to add one more possibility to the list.

MEMBERS OF FAMILIES DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE SIMILAR SENSE PREFERENCES

Hearing, for me, is right up near the top of my personal "Door of Perception" -- and conveniently for me, the same is true for my husband and son.

However, sight could be up near the top. Or else physical movement (sometimes called "kinaesthetic" perception, if you want to get fancy and Latin-ey about it). Etc.

For me, that's right at the bottom of the list for my personal "Door of Perception" -- and for that reason my inclination is to strongly dislike many picture books, where authors and sympatico readers are all about the thrill of how things look.

They're definitely entitled. But how things look? Not my jam.

WHEN READING THIS BOOK

I wondered if, perhaps, the narrator is an audiotory enthusiast. And yet (as luck or karma would have it), she might be the only one of her kind in the family. Maybe they're all -- Ugh, different from her!

If any of you reading this book review are still reading along, perhaps you can go forward in life with a renewed respect for those whose sensory preferences are like yours... and also those respect for those whose sensory preferences are different.

Developing "the wisdom to know the difference"(s) could prove helpful.

Far too much sneering on this topic occurs, for my taste. Far too often, folks assume that "My way is the right way." Or even "My way is the ONLY way."

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, the illustrations are fantastic! I do like the overall message that there's a time and place for both being loud and being quiet. I hate the overused trope of being quiet in the library! As a children's librarian, I can assure you that libraries are not all quiet tombs anymore - there's a lot of stuff happening and a lot of it is loud. I also really, really wish that the author had used a male protagonist in this book. I know she has her reasons for using a girl, but little girls in our culture get so socialized to be quiet and not speak up that I just cringe when I read books like this where a little girl is shamed into being quiet when her personality is loud. As a shy, quiet, introvert myself, I'm often uncomfortable around really LOUD people, but together we all make a beautiful tapestry of humanity and there's room and need for all of us.

This is a fun book that would make a good group read aloud. I probably won't use it for the reasons I listed above, but it's a solid story offering. 3 stars

[Barbara Band · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I don’t want to be quiet” is the third book in the “I don’t want” series by Laura Ellen Anderson; the other two being “I Don’t want to be small” and “I don’t want curly hair”. In this book we meet a little girl who likes to make lots of noise even if it means waking up her baby brother or annoying her teacher. Then one day she is too loud in the library and is told to “shhhhhhhh” by everyone. She picks up a book in embarrassment and is amazed to discover that she is spellbound, sitting reading quietly for hours. And soon discovers there are benefits to being quiet – sometimes! Amusing story that’s great to read with young children to demonstrate why being quiet is occasionally necessary, lots of lovely “noise” words to play with and a positive message about reading.

[Thompson McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young girl rebels when her mother shushes her because her baby brother is sleeping. "Stairs are for stomping..." the girl says. It's more fun to make noise. Quiet is boring.

A trip to the library where her peers ask her (peer pressure!) to be quiet, they're reading, forces the girl to sit still and open a book. Suddenly, she's "spellbound!" Hours pass, and she's imagined pirate adventures, kings and queens, and whole other worlds. The next day, she learns more at school because she's still and LISTENS. She realizes there's a time to be quiet and time to be noisy, and when she is quiet, she notices things in her own world.
This is a sweet book with illustrations sure to please young readers.

Ages 2 and up.

[Suhaila Haji · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book left me right in the middle, I enjoyed to the illustrations and the rhyme but not sure if I completely agree with the message portrayed. The little girl is a loud and fun character that is often silenced at home and in school and in the library. But this is who she is so whilst in the library she decides to pick up a book and starts to read. She finds herself immersed in the books but doesn't make a sound. Her imagination runs wild as she pictures the scenarios in the stories but doesn't make a sound. She decides to be quiet so that she can learn more but perhaps this is resulting in her losing her individuality something we should refrain from doing.

[Brenda McElyea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author/illustrator Laura Ellen Anderson makes noise pop from the pages in this lively picture book. A young girl is unapologetic for the disruptions she causes both at home and at school until she realizes that her love for noise is not shared by the readers in the library. After filling her head with noises from books she starts listening to life all around while being noisy at the right times. This fun title will be enthusiastically enjoyed as a read aloud and when shared one on one. Pair it with the right books for a great and noisy storytime. Available November 3, 2020

[Jj · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story and relatable for many kids and parents. I like how the main character gets pulled in to books, as if by magic. Unfortunately, there's also the "The Library is all about QUIET" trope going on here. The author is from the UK, so I can't speak to what libraries are like there. But here in the US, I like to think they are places of exploration AND contemplation, where noise levels vary greatly and enthusiasm (including, sometimes, noisy excitement) is encouraged, not strongly discouraged.

Thanks to Penguin Young Readers for the review copy.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little girl is having trouble staying quiet, she loves to make noise - splashes in puddles, crunches of food, and of course talking. She finds school difficult because she has to be quiet, and the library is even tougher for her. When she is eventually quiet she starts to hear things she normally misses and appreciates sounds more...and also learns there are times to be quiet and times to be loud.

A fun book with expressive illustrations and text to show the girl's frustrations and sounds. A great conversation starter about times to be quiet and times to be loud.

[Shaye Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderfully empathetic picture book about the needs of children to stay busy and making lots of noise. In a gentle way, this story shows the possibility of making tons of noises in our heads during reading (while remaining quiet on the outside). The artwork is bright and colorful on slick and shiny pages. I can see this one making the rounds in kindergarten and 1st grade classrooms, everywhere!

For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!

[Laura Valdez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a beautiful and inspirational book.
Is about a little girl, probably a four years old girl, who can't stop making noise, because she loves not to be quiet, but, at the end of the book, this little girl learns how to be quiet and silence, and actually, likes the silence and can enjoy it, specially in a library, where her mind can imagine the sounds, and this is where this little girl learns that sound and silence is good, it just depends where you are, your culture background, your hearing, your genes and a lot of other factors.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A child likes to make noise in everything she does, but when she's told to be quiet in the library, she learns that you can have a lot of fun being quiet, reading, and learning. This book would be a fun one for a storytime about the 5 senses because it shows hearing in two different extremes. Could also be good for a read aloud introducing preschoolers, kindergarteners, or 1st graders to the library.

[Tori Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kids, 3.5 and 5, loved this book. It's about a little girl who, as the title suggests, enjoys being loud. About everything. When she is embarrassed in the library, she reads her book quietly and realizes that being quiet has it's perks as well. I thought the book struck a great balance between recognizing that there's a time a place to be respectful and quiet, and also a time and place for kids to enjoy being loud.

[Kacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! The rhyming text was the perfect format for showing the fun, playfulness of the story! The main character of the story is very much like most primary/elementary students, which will make the story easy for children to relate. Thank you to Edelweiss + for the advanced digital copy.

[Ari · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is more for me than my child - to remind me that he needs to be loud, even though it's frustrating for the parents, lol.

I am not sure about the way things got fixed in the story, but as I said before, there was another part I was focusing on anyways. All in one, a cute read with funny illustrations.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Might be a fun back to school read aloud about why we use quiet voices in the library. I totally use Library lion for the library rules with kindergarten but this book could serve the same purpose and it’s much shorter. Plus it rhymes!
This book could start a good discussion on how we act differently in different places.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why do girls have to be quiet? Why do we have to be quiet in the library as the example (that is such a worn-out, used up example). Why couldn't it have been a boy as the MC? Boys don't seem to be forced to be quiet the same way girls are and why couldn't it have been the classroom? Sigh. Otherwise, it was okay.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than I thought it'd be! A little girl loves making noise everywhere she goes. One day at the library she gets so frustrated with the quiet and so bored that she picks up a book... and discovers the joy of stories. End of book shows her with her mom, rocking out, having learned that there are appropriate times to be quiet and times to be louder.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ebullient female main character is joyfully and unapologetically loud - all day long - at home and at school. But at the library, she gets embarrassed when everyone else is quietly reading. so she picks up a book and becomes immersed in it - and quiet. This leads her to discover what she can hear - and learn when she is quiet. She learns that there is a place for quiet and noise in her life. The rhyming, bright colourful illustrations and antics of the main character will delight adults and children alike!

[Jennifer Heine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book!! This book is very relatable for Elementary kids. They love to be LOUD!! Not surprisingly, the main character learns there are time for noise and times for quiet, but this has a lot of fun phrasing that invites listeners to participate when read aloud.

[Gowri Sudhir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful beautiful beautiful! One of the best children’s books my daughter and I have read together. Can’t decide if she loves listening to me read it more or if I
Love reading it to her.. we both look forward reading this book many times throughout the day..

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfectly spunky kindergarten behavior for the child in this story. When and where she is out there and wants to be noticed and heard. Learns to be a listener, learner, and hear what others are saying and telling her. Nice role play of child.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little girl who loves to be loud finally discovers the advantages of quiet after she experiences the thrill of reading a library book. Children will enjoy the rhyming text and cartoon-style illustrations.

[Alissa Tsaparikos · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a bit long for storytimes but it was nice that the rhyming scheme was lyrical and not strained. A good option for parents with children who like to be loud all the time, though I don't think the moral is strong enough to make any real change in readers.