Quiet Please, Owen McPhee!

Thought-provoking … An accessible addition to libraries that may function as a springboard for a discussion on positive communication and the importance of listening.“—School LIbrary Journal“Like Ludwig and Barton’s previous picture book, The Invisible Boy (2013), which concerns a quiet child, this book has a purpose. It deals with a recognizable problem, offers some points to discuss, and delivers its message lightly.” —Booklist“Sympathetic and most of all, hopeful.“—Publishers Weekly“The ending reflects real life in that Owen still has bouts of talkativeness, though now he does also listen for others’ input… . Similarly talkative youngsters struggling with social interactions may want to schedule their own laryngitis days.” —Kirkus Reviews “This delightful story shows the beauty and benefits of tuning in and listening to others in compassionate, caring ways—something we definitely need more of in our chatter-filled world!” —Dr. Michele Borba, bestselling author of UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me WorldA Junior Library Guild Selection

Trudy Ludwig is a nationally acclaimed speaker and an award-winning author who specializes in writing children’s books that help kids cope with and thrive in their social world, including My Secret Bully and Confessions of a Former Bully. She has received rave reviews from educators, experts, organizations, and parents at schools and conferences around the US for her passion and compassion in addressing peer aggression and friendship issues. An active member of the International Bullying Prevention Association, Trudy also collaborates with organizations like the Committee for Children and has served as content advisor for Sesame Street Workshop. Trudy’s books have won the Mom’s Choice Gold Award, the IBPA Gold Benjamin Franklin Award, and the NAPPA Gold Medal, and also been recognized as NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Books for Young People.

Patrice Barton earned a BFA in studio art from the University of Texas in Austin, where she lives with her husband and son. Her books include Sweet Moon Baby by Karen Henry Clark, Mine! by Shutta Crum, I Like Old Clothes by Mary Ann Hoberman, and Rosie Sprout’s Time to Shine by Allison Wortche.