A quiet girl by peter carnavas

In this book by Peter Carnavas, we meet Mary, a quiet girl living in a noisy family. Mary thinks quiet thoughts, steps quiet steps and whispers quiet words. She is so quiet that no-one in her family hears her. She decides to be even quieter still, and eventually it is like she has disappeared completely. When her family stops being noisy for a moment and discovers they cannot find her, they begin calling her name and searching the neighbourhood. Finally, when they stop calling and stand still and listen, they hear Mary's tiny, quiet voice singing to the birds under the tree at the end of their street, where she had been all along. The family realised it wasn't until they were quiet that they could really hear her. The simple, elegant text is supported by Carnavas's illustrations in soft, gentle colours and the use of black and white to highlight Mary as she fades is beautiful. 

This book is a celebration of those who are quieter than the rest of us, and who like to take their time and stop, wonder and listen to what is all around them.  

Published in 2019 by University of Queensland Press
ISBN 978-0702260025
​Recommended for ages 4 - 7

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