Quiet as Mud is a beautiful and powerful poem about a child who prefers to be quiet. I loved how at the end of the story the child’s family was showing support for their choice of being quiet and took their advice of listening to the world around them. As an introvert, I could definitely connect with this book. The illustrations are stunning using soft calming colors and they followed the poem.

As a teacher, I can see myself using this as a mentor text in my classroom to teach similes, imagery, character traits and poetry.

Thank you Netgalley and American Psychological Association for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Though her family members have many theories as to why she's quiet, this little girl's simple reply is, "I just like hearing the world spin by." And, indeed, this child is in tune with nature and the utter beauty of her surroundings. Perhaps we could all learn something from her . . .

The illustrations by Nicole Wong are lovely and dreamy.

We need more books about introverts and/or non-verbal kids, but this one was not it for me.

On the plus side: The writing when the kid talks about themselves resonated heavily with me,
for example "I just like to hear the world spin by / and the songs that the rocks all sing. / I like to think of words that could go along / and the heavy way the winds all ring. / It makes me happy to hear my heart beat, / with its own steady thud-thud-thud." This is how I experienced the world as a child and still do to this day. :) I also like that the kid is distracted and that their plate is still full while everyone else has finished or almost finished their plate. That was a nice touch :)

On the other side: The first part of writing was less uninspired and sometimes grammatically off, I didn't like the art style, and the design of the text was bad, with the text too small and crammed into corners. Please make the text bigger!

Also, some of the metaphors didn't make sense to me (the snail on a crate?), and too much of the book was about the perception of others about this kid, and not enough about this kid's inner world (only the second half). Also, I'm not sure what to think about the entire family being in the mud at the end... Is it supposed to show the approval of the mud-lover kid? The fact that everyone is in the mud removes the uniqueness of the kid, and that's not how I would prefer to show acceptance and support from the family.

Also, I'm confused about the garden. Do people cross through the pond to go to the gate? The rocks seem slippery... Do they go around? Then why is there not a path around or... mud from repeated foot steps. It boggles me.

Well, I like reading books from this publisher, as they often highlight less marketed topics and marginalized characters, so I will continue. Thank you!

*I received a free ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

You can never fail with a Jane Yolen book. This book is a beautiful celebration of introversion. There are so many books about a being bold, it's breath of fresh air to show kids the beauty of quiet introspection. The poem and illustrations are gorgeous.

Quiet as Mud is a sweet story about a child who prefers to be quiet. As an introvert who loves silence, I can definitely relate to this story. The illustrations were soft and colorful.

I think this would be a perfect book for any children who enjoy silence and independent play. It is important to see ourselves in fiction and understand we belong no matter how different we are from family, friends, or strangers.

I received an ARC from American Psychological Association | Magination Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley for and advanced copy to review.
The soft illustrations are beautiful and go right along with the book. As an introvert, I loved this book! Would be a good book to use to introduce similes. Begins with a quote by Margaret Wise Brown.

This was a sweet little book about a child who prefers to be quiet and alone.

The pictures are adorable and the words are simple but make their point.

The last page, with the family joining in the mud really ties this book together !

A simple story and pretty illustrations. The main character is a young child who hears their grownups talk about how quiet they are in different ways.

This is a great book to introduce children to the concept of introversion. The poem highlights how we're not all the same--and that's okay! The artwork is a great complement to the poem. It would be helpful for kids who may feel self-conscious for being quieter than their friends, etc. And it's a great reminder for all kids that sometimes it's good to be still. Overall, this book conveys a very positive message and shows readers how to be more accepting of each other's differences.

Quiet as Mud is a lovely addition to Jane Yolen's picture book titles. This is a clear affirmation of introverts, elegantly done and without the clumsy wording of so much social-emotional-learning content. Beautifully illustrated in a style as soft and vibrant as its main character, full of family and nature connections, Quiet as Mud is a must.

I enjoyed the way being quiet was portrayed in the lyrical book, positive from different family members that doesn’t make the child feel bad about their quiet. I have a quiet toddler and it certainly is a beautiful book to explore with her, I think. Drawings are soft and lovely, the writing easy for her to understand and follow along.

This is a perfect children's book for little ones that are quiet and like to listen and observe what's around them. I have a talker and a watcher and I'm so excited to be able to share this with my watching child and affirm that part of themselves with the descriptions in this book.

Quiet as Mud, by Jane Yolen
Illustrated by Nicole Wong
What would you hear from a girl so silent, quiet, and shy? Will it be the imagination as she dives into the stars and space? Or will it be the soulful meditation where she quietly experiences the beautiful world around her?
The book Quiet as Mud is an ode to a quiet girl and to all the shy people who have taught us to look at the world in a different way. It shows its readers that it’s perfectly normal to be an introvert and find solitude and peace in the things that you enjoy the most. The book comes with this knowledge, especially in times when most introverts sometimes feel their shyness might get in the way of their success.
The book Quiet as Mud introduces the playful yet calm world of a girl who speaks in whispers but is so quiet, she can hear her heartbeat.
In this big, loud world as everyone seems caught up in mundane tasks, this young girl loves to be grasped in her dream place. She has profound listening skills that let her look at the little things that others might miss. She listens to the sounds of nature; she is creative as she ponders and puts down her thoughts in words.
The book depicts the beauty of a quiet soul. It shows how much we can discover when we quietly explore the world around us.
The mesmerizing illustrations capture the essence of the book, as the readers, along with the girl, immerse themselves in the beauty of the surrounding world. It shows the contemplative personality of a young girl who enjoys being herself and with herself.
The book uses metaphors and alliterations to delve into the perception of how other people see the girl. This book is great to read in schools and libraries, and the soothing imagery will make the readers read it over and over again. Inspired by a quote from Margaret Wise Brown, this yet another book by by Magination Press and the American Psychological Association, will fascinate its readers.
Thanks to NetGalley and American Psychological Association for providing us the Digital review copy of the book.

Charming children's tale by prolific author Jane Yolen about someone who is quiet, quiet as mud. Beautifully illustrated, with various family members commenting without judgment on the quiet one. A nice gentle reminder that not everyone is alike and that we can appreciate our differences.

This short and sweet title leaves so much room for the reader and the pictures. Perfect for introverts and also for neurodivergent kiddos on the quiet side.

Please share this cute children's book with introverted children! Let them know they are not different because they are not Chatty Cathys. It's ok to be quiet and watch the world around you. I highly recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy. All opinions are mine.

I received this book as an advanced reader copy. It does not affect my review in any way.

I read this with my 7 year old. It was adorable and easy for them to read. The artwork is gorgeous and the story in poetry form is sweet. It was a very well-done way to show the comfort level of a child in different situations. As the parent of a child who becomes introverted in large crowds, and similar situations, this was a perfect book to share in order to begin conversations about being shy.

Thank you for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first children’s book review, and I was not disappointed. This is a beautifully illustrated book with a sweet message. Helping those children who are the introverted daydreamers feel like they are not alone.
This warmed my heart!

Rating: 5/5

Great illustrations! And I love how the story highlights being quiet and that it’s okay to be quiet.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. This is a sweet book that gives words to a young kid who is always called "quiet" but is just taking in the world around them.