I received an ARC from NetGalley and the APA in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

What would it be like if life was listened to instead of rushed by? This book is about a girl who is called quiet by everyone. Why is she quiet? You’ll have to read to find out! This is a super cute book and a wonderful way to explain to kids what an introvert is. This is a great book to add to any picture book collection!

"Quiet as Mud" is such a fantastic children's picture book! It celebrates children who are naturally introverted - those who prefer to be quiet and simply observe those around them. Inspired by a quote by Margaret Wise Brown, it includes a sweet poem with soothing rhymes that celebrates the beauty of being an introvert and is accompanied by calm and simple illustrations and imagery. This picture book is a definite must share for parents with introverted or non-verbal children.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided by the publisher, American Psychological Association, via NetGalley.

This story is what I needed to hear when I was a child. With beautiful illustrations and simple imagery, this story highlights the beauty in silence and a quiet soul. It proves that there is nothing wrong with being quiet and shows how much more we can explore and feel when we meet silence and accept it. I am so grateful people are beginning to write stories for children that I believe are so important for them to hear. I will be sharing this with all the introverted children in my life!

*Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this arc for an unbiased opinion.

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form.

Quiet as Mud, by Jane Yolen, is a children’s picture book about the beauties of being introverted. From taking in your surroundings, to being grateful for all the little things that others might not see, Yolen describes how a child grows into themselves by acknowledging the fun, wonderful things around them. The child isn’t burdened with other people’s expectations; instead they’re encouraged to explore their external and internal worlds, all the while figuring out what makes them unique.

I can definitely see this book in an alternative classroom setting, such as a green preschool, or even in science classrooms, if only to introduce a conservation unit. The artist’s style made me nostalgic for my own teachers when I was younger (its interesting how most beloved teachers were in elementary school). I liked how comfortable our protagonist was in exploring the environment around her, from the forest to the meadows to even the stars. They remind me of books such as Where the Wild Things Are or even Bridge to Terabithia, where we get to see the silent wonders of the world children’s imaginations transport them to. Moreover, I feel that the poem Yalen had introduced at the beginning of the book by Margaret Wise Brown showcases the overall vision, this book, in and of itself, can be a type of bibliotherapy.

I’ve always enjoyed books from the APA, and this was no different. I can certainly see myself reading these to adults who are struggling with their self-esteem, or nature therapy groups who are hoping to include more childlike innocence into their treatment protocols. As such, I would give this book a five out of five stars.

Quiet As Mud by Janet Yolen and illustrated by Nicole Wong is a beautiful picture book celebrating a quiet child. Inspired by a poem by Margaret Wise Brown, this book normalizes and affirms children who listen, observe, and experience life in other ways than verbally. After reading the book, I immediately sent it to several colleagues who work with children with selective mutism. Yolen’s acknowledgment and celebration of a child who speaks when ready aligns so well with child-centered interventions.

A beautiful illustrated book on the peace of silence. How in silence, we can see more, hear more, and experience the things around us.

Here, perhaps is the stage of rhyme and reason...
Big as the whole world;
deep as a giant.
Quiet as electricity rushing about the world
Quiet as mud
All these are five year old smiles
Let the grown up writer for children equal or better them if he can.



A book like this gives young children appreciation for the lyrical cadence of words. A must have for your library.

A special thank you to American Psychological Association and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

Jane Yolen is a family favorite, especially the Dinosaur books. We were so excited to receive this story as an ebook ARC. This story really spoke to me and to my children. We are definitely introverts and this story helped my son to see that it is ok to be that way. The story is a poem that uses soothing rhymes along with some amazing illustrations created by Nicole Wong that create a comforting story easy for my littles to follow along and understand. The book lets children know it's okay to be an introvert and encourages children, and adults, to look into the world inside them and to celebrate it and who they are. I love how the story shows how different people see the child, like Aunt Alice who says the child is “caught in a dream”. It also shows that when the child is quiet they are seeing the world in a different way, like the song in the stream and just sitting and listening to the world. This book was based on a quote by Margaret Wise Brown, another favorite author of ours, that is also shared in the book. I adore this book and can’t wait to buy it to hold in our hands and enjoy over and over again. It held so much meaning for us. We highly recommend this story to all families. Even those with the not so quiet ones sharing the story can help them to better understand the quiet as mud little ones. You will love it.

This is the cutest book! I would recommend this for a read aloud in your classroom or just for your at home library. The illustrations are wonderful!!!!

A beautiful new work by Jane Yolen.

This isn't my first work of hers that I have read.
Amazing artwork from Nicole Wong helps to bring together this poetical story about an introverted child that enjoys listening to the sounds of nature.
It is an excellent read for children who may feel self-conscious over not being as rambunctious as the rest of the crowd.
It is a great tool for teaching children about how to be still and calm at times.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

This picture book uses metaphorical language to talk about a child's quiet, reflective personality. I would rate this book higher if it had a storyline, but I like how the author represents the child's quietness in a playful way, potentially helping her readers describe their own feelings and inner lives. I also like the portrayal of a very accepting, understanding family. Rather than introducing negative words and reactions to show why they're wrong, this book highlights a caring, understanding family, showing how people with different personalities can live in harmony with each other.

This was exactly what I hoped it would be- a gentle introduction to introversion. The poem, spread across beautifully illustrated pages, introduces children to the idea that we don't all act the same; some of us enjoy quiet and solitude. I'd say this is best for K-2, but since it's a quick read, I'd use in a higher elementary class at the beginning of the year to remind kiddos of how to respect each other's differences.

Love this little story about "being different" without saying it. We are all different and special in our own ways.

Quiet as Mud
by Jane Yolen

As an author I love Jane Yolen. Her characters and prose are amazing. I saw my niece in this book. She is so quiet like this child. The families acceptance of her quite nature is remarkable in the story. This social emotional learning book shows that we can be true to ourselves and find acceptance form those around us. Its is a cross cultural book that shows nature of children can vary and still be accepted.