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Écoute

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Arrête-toi, ferme les yeux.. Et écoute... . Qu'entends-tu ?.

40 pages, Hardcover

Published January 14, 2022

3 people are currently reading
268 people want to read

About the author

Gabi Snyder

5 books88 followers
Gabi Snyder is the author of TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE (Abrams/Appleseed, 2020) and LISTEN (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, July 2021).

Gabi lives in Oregon with her family.

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5 stars
188 (41%)
4 stars
166 (36%)
3 stars
90 (19%)
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10 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
Profile Image for Jasmine from How Useful It Is.
1,713 reviews382 followers
June 13, 2021
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.
Profile Image for Danielle.
Author 2 books271 followers
May 25, 2021
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.
Profile Image for Richie Partington.
1,209 reviews136 followers
July 27, 2021
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 sound
Let 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, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
https://twitter.com/richiespicks
richiepartington@gmail.com
Profile Image for Sim ✨.
415 reviews34 followers
April 27, 2022
I feel so calm after reading this book. This invites readers to follow the protagonists' day and explore the many sounds she can hear - encouraging people to slow down, stop and take it all in.

Such a calming colour palette too!
Profile Image for Angela De Groot .
Author 1 book31 followers
January 26, 2024
Wonderful encouragement to listen, really listen. We live in a noisy world but if you stop and listen closely what will you hear underneath the usual cacophony? Slow down, listen, explore those new sounds. What is the voice inside you saying? Give it a listen.
Profile Image for Tasha.
4,165 reviews138 followers
July 13, 2021
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.
Profile Image for Heather Kinser.
Author 3 books26 followers
March 4, 2021
LISTEN takes young readers on a walk through “the big, wild world” full of criss-crossing sounds. At first, the sounds of a busy neighborhood jumble together, and all the main character can hear is…noise! But in this journey toward mindful, attentive listening—sound-by-sound—a girl learns how to notice what’s inside, under, and behind the noise. On its face, this is a story about the arc of a day, filled with fun onomatopoeia. Beneath the surface, it’s about how attentive listening skills can make you a better student, a better friend, and a more-centered person who’s ready to meet the challenges of each noisy day with focus and appreciation. Author Gabi Snyder provides a balance of fun-to-say sounds plus lulling text that sets just the right tone. Illustrator Stephanie Graegin enhances the mood with soft blue settings punctuated by splashes of red. Her open-hearted characters shine on the page. This exquisite picture book is the perfect read for the start of a busy day, a cozy reading corner, a bedtime routine, or for caregivers introducing children to mindfulness.
Profile Image for Carrie Finison.
Author 13 books94 followers
March 25, 2021
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.
Profile Image for Janet.
Author 14 books131 followers
June 30, 2021
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!

Profile Image for Mindy Alyse Weiss.
135 reviews33 followers
July 31, 2021
I love how this book encourages everyone to listen…no matter what is going on. Listen through the noise. Listen past the quiet. Listen when a friend is in need of support. And something I wish I learned when I was much younger—listen to yourself.

With sparse text, this book says so much! I lost 75% of my hearing and wearing hearing aids helps. When they’re in, I treasure every sound. I love that this book encourages children to be mindful about all the sounds around them. They’re truly magical—and can be a source of joy or comfort.
Profile Image for Laura Gehl.
Author 85 books106 followers
March 17, 2021
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.
Profile Image for Keila Dawson.
Author 5 books37 followers
March 18, 2021
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!
Profile Image for Cathy Mealey.
Author 8 books29 followers
May 21, 2021
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.
Profile Image for Charlotte Offsay.
Author 10 books122 followers
July 10, 2021
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!⁠
Profile Image for Lisa Tolin.
Author 2 books19 followers
March 10, 2021
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.
Profile Image for Julie Hedlund.
Author 6 books214 followers
October 26, 2021
This book is deceptively simple on the surface, but so profound and full of depth. I love the idea of different ways to listen, even when noise seems to drown out any kind of quiet. It teaches kids mindfulness without them even realizing they're learning that lesson. Just brilliant.
Profile Image for Baby Bookworm.
1,642 reviews109 followers
July 15, 2021
https://thebabybookwormblog.wordpress.com/2021/07/12/listen-gabi-snyder/

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!
Profile Image for Barbara.
15.1k reviews314 followers
October 1, 2021
This picture book urging readers to pause for a moment and simply listen is a 3.5 for me. The poetic lines and suggestions about how to listen as well as the information about listening in the back matter distinguishing between hearing and listening all combine to make this a useful book for sharing with youngsters who most likely don't know the difference. And as the illustrations, created with Adobe Fresco, Adobe Photoshop, pencil, and watercolor, make it abundantly clear just how noisy the world around us can be. Everyone seems to bustle from place to place, making as much noise as possible, and it can be almost overwhelming. Using second-person you for a direct address, readers are invited to simply listen. The inclusion of evocative words such as "yip-yip-yapping" (unpaged), "cawing" (unpaged), "slap-slap-slap" (unpaged), and "brush-rush-hush" (unpaged) lends an immediacy and a sense of being present to the scenes, accompanied as they are by vivid images that complement them perfectly. This invitation to embrace the quietness and listen for hints of what might have been missed otherwise will leave many readers feeling soothed and freed from the stress of the day's clamor and tasks. It might be the perfect title to share with a class before naptime, yoga or guided meditation.
Profile Image for Nikki Bergstresser.
Author 6 books21 followers
July 20, 2021
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.
Profile Image for Claire Noland.
Author 4 books21 followers
September 24, 2021
When you step out into the big wild world, sometimes all you hear is… NOISE!
This beautiful picture book follows a young girl as she moves through her day. She takes the time to stop and really listen to the sounds around her as she searches for their source. The lyrical text is full of onomatopoeia with dogs’ yip-yip-yapping, a jump rope thump-thumping, and the crunch of gravel. She listens to the sounds of words and the feelings expressed by the sounds of a friend’s sob or sigh.
The peaceful illustrations are done in shades of blue with pops of color which bring focus to the source of the sounds.
LISTEN is meant to be read aloud as it encourages children to slow down and pay attention to the sounds around them.

backmatter includes information on listening and mindfulness.
Profile Image for Kira Bigwood.
Author 1 book10 followers
May 16, 2021
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!
22 reviews1 follower
May 18, 2021
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.
Profile Image for Claire Bobrow.
115 reviews5 followers
June 10, 2021
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!
Profile Image for Sarah Kurpiel.
Author 9 books31 followers
June 19, 2021
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.
Profile Image for Erin Buhr.
Author 4 books41 followers
August 12, 2021
LISTEN is beautiful. The gentle encouragement to really listen to the world around you, the muted illustrations full of city life, the carefully chosen limited text - it's all lovely. I love the message to children - pay attention to the world around you, really listen. The backmatter about listening, hearing, attention and more is really well done as well. A delightful read aloud to share with children.
Profile Image for Sharon Giltrow.
Author 6 books31 followers
April 30, 2021
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 :-).
Profile Image for Nell Cross Beckerman.
Author 9 books40 followers
June 9, 2021
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.
Profile Image for Jennie Englund.
20 reviews1 follower
August 10, 2022
“Listen past the noise… What can you hear?”

When Little One steps out into the city on her way to school, the sounds are big and scary. But if she listens, she can hear a crow cawing from wire to wire, wind through the trees, and her friend’s feelings. A soothing read (and pets on every page!) by Gabi Snyder.
12 reviews
May 5, 2021
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.
Profile Image for Susan.
Author 147 books102 followers
September 13, 2021
"Listen past the noise. What can you hear?
Listen past the quiet. What can you hear?
... [L]isten to everything waiting to be heard."

A beautiful, highly recommended picture book to share with young children -- or to read, and re-read, yourself.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews

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