Subtitle: “A story for the introvert in all of us.”
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(Added May 2023)
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“Grown-ups tell me, Don’t be shy. But I am not shy. I am quiet.”
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Continuing our miniseries on runaways, meet Emile, a young child who has the courage to walk away from the peer pressure exerted by adults.
Emile is not apprehensive. Emile is thoughtful. Emile can be vibrant and bold without being voluble, or even particularly noticeable. Emile observes that a puppy can be loud without saying much at all. Emile is told, “someday you will come out of your shell.” But Emile can hold a shell to his ear and imagine he hears the sea. When other children quickly go to sleep after a day of playing and running, Emile can read at bedtime and go to sleep after “miles of exploration” in his mind.
Officially this picture book is aimed at early readers, age range four to seven years. Unofficially it probably also is aimed at teachers and parents. From the Kirkus Review: “This story reassures and empowers introverted children and conveys their strengths to extroverted children and adults. It’s also a much-needed counter to similar titles that encourage quieter children to adapt.”
“Strength can be quiet.”
Regarding the art, did the Gentle Browser notice the many shades of orange and sienna and mauve, but only three pages with a touch of true red? Did the Gentle Browser notice the many pages of violet and periwinkle, but only three pages of with a touch of true childhood purple?
When we were very young—never mind how many decades ago—we were told that a good artist knows when the picture is finished. That may be true, but at the time we wondered (in mere post-toddler comprehension) if we were ready for that concept just yet. The exuberant small children who “glopped” their glitter and colors and figures, well, those children did not quite know how to process that instruction. However the small children who painted or drew a minimalist picture—(“is that all?”)—were not certain how to process that instruction either. What artifact must we produce to please the adults? And, then as now, who decides whether a piece of art is “enough”?
This book is illustrated by someone who has the confidence of what is “enough.” Many of the drawings look the reader in the face (“neutral view”). It is art that has decided whether to use strong lines or velvet ones, whether to use shadows or spotlights. It includes mazes and creatures and planets with their own adventures, their own mysteries, their own sense of connection. It is art that knows how to use “negative space.” It is art that fits this story.
Joy can be quiet.
Highly recommended.
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I am quiet: a story for the introvert in all of us written by Andie Powers and illustrated by Betsy Peterson. Includes an Author’s Note page. First edition Boulder, Colorado: Bala Kids; Shambhala Publications, c2022. Release date: April 12, 2022. ISBN 9781611809848 (hardcover). 32 pages; color ill.
AWARDS: A GoodReads Choice nominee for 2022 Book of the Year (category Child/Youth) … A Kids Indie 2022 Next List pick … No doubt other awards to come.
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