Quiet Please, Owen McPhee!

Written by Trudy Ludwig and Patrice Barton

A chatterbox boy loses his voice and discovers the power of listening.

4.3/7 Bookroo experts·3.8/5 Goodreads · 315 ratings

40 pages· 567 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud· AD530L

$17.99Save 7%

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Bookroo's summary

Owen McPhee loves to talk, filling every moment with chatter. But when laryngitis strikes, he's forced into silence. In this unexpected quiet, Owen discovers the voices of those around him. As he navigates the bustling classroom without his usual words, he learns the value of listening and the stories he's been missing. Will this newfound silence change how he connects with others? Dive into a lively tale that explores the social dynamics of a classroom and the gentle power of hearing what others have to say.

From the publisher

Owen McPhee doesn’t just like to talk, he LOVES to talk. He spends every waking minute chattering away at his teachers, his classmates, his parents, his dog, and even himself. But all that talking can get in the way of listening. And when Owen wakes up with a bad case of laryngitis, it gives him a much-needed opportunity to hear what others have to say.

From the author-illustrator team behind The Invisible Boy comes a bright and lively picture book that captures the social dynamics of a busy classroom while delivering a gentle message about the importance of listening.

At a glance

Format
Pages: 40
Words: 567
Reading age: 5–8
Audience: Picture
Lexile: AD530L

Themes & topics

Books about listening Books about school Books about bullying Books about social themes Books about feelings and emotions

What readers & critics say

Reviews

4.3

out of 7

5.0

“Gorgeously illustrated, this is a wonderful little story about a little boy who talks too much and learns the consequences the hard way. It's not until he gets some first-hand understanding of what can happen when he listens and gives other people a chance to talk, though, that he realizes that there must be a balance. The mix of actual story and speech bubbles is a fun combination!”

Marmee

Trusted reviewer

3.5

“I can see this book being useful for a specific situation with certain kids, or even in a classroom setting where a teacher can emphasize the importance of everyone being heard. The illustrations are lovely, and combination of printed text and illustrated speech bubbles is different and fun. However, without a child who I felt really needed this lesson, I don't see myself enjoying reading it.”

Lauren Hancock

Trusted reviewer

The author