Reviewed by
Dianne Bates
Mary is a
quiet child whose family is so noisy and occupied with mundane tasks that she
is frequently overlooked. The small girl whispers quiet words, steps quietly
and has quiet thoughts. At the same time, she is involved with the world around
her, listening to the sounds of birds and enjoying the garden. She hears things
nobody else does, buzzing and sighing and creaking, while her family use
motorised tools and tell her to use a ‘nice, loud voice’.
Eventually
Mary feels as though she is invisible. It is only when a bird lands on a
windowsill that her family realises she is missing. When they eventually find
her, she becomes the catalyst for them to finally stop their business and enjoy
the sounds and sights of nature which so captivate their youngest member.
Carnavas has
written many picture books including his most recent, The Elephant, which was short-listed for the CBCA Book of the Year
Awards. A Quiet Girl was, he says,
his tribute to the introverts, who, it must be said, are rarely represented in
children’s literature. This book, like The
Elephant, is delicate and thought-provoking, a quiet voice in a noisy
world.
The
illustrations are in keeping with the theme of the book which is that one needs
to be quiet and to look carefully at nature in order to be attuned to it. In
its quietness, the book is powerful. It is suitable for all young readers,
including the newly independent reader.
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