Listen

Gr 1-3–Everything is connected, from all the people in the world to Earth itself and the stars beyond. Readers are guided through an experiential journey in this book, being instructed to listen, feel, breathe, and look in order to take in everything around them. Each element, from the sound of one’s feet to the sun to the stars, is a part of a bigger whole while simultaneously belonging only to the reader. While the eyes can look and the ears can hear, it is the heart alone that has the power to comprehend everything: love is the key to an interconnected existence. Simple, poetic language builds the framework for this book, repeating words and phrases throughout. Readers of all ages will appreciate the lyrical beauty of the text, whether listening to it with others or enjoying it alone. Childlike illustrations reminiscent of Shel Silverstein are enhanced by beautiful, dulcet colors that saturate each page. Fans of books like Liz Scanlon’s All the World will love the similar message presented here about love and inclusion in a world that at times seems devoid of those sentiments.