THE SILENCE SLIPS IN

Written by Alison Hughes

 

Illustrated by Ninon Pelletier

 

(Orca Book Publishers, 2019)

 

 

This is one of those books that may soothe children and adults alike. (Honestly, I think adults will embrace the message more.)

 

We all experience silence. We all need it. Some people, however, are not as comfortable in the quieter moments. The Silence Slips In is a book that anticipates quiet and wholeheartedly welcomes it. 

 

When the others have chattered and shrieked

their way home, when the balloons have all

popped, when the baby finally falls asleep,

when the dog is all barked out, and the

screens are dark the Silence slips in.

 

Silence is portrayed as a large ghostlike figure, part Pillsbury Doughboy, part character from the Disney movie Inside Out. While not an emotion, Silence is a state of being, a presence emerging through absence. 

 

It watches the snow fall in the early

morning and curls up in a sunbeam

with a warm, cuddly cat.

 

 While we all need immersive time in silence, introverts need it more. As an introvert myself, I crave it. This book is especially affirming to people like me who think better and often even feel better in the quiet spaces.

 

Alison Hughes’ words are lovely and Ninon Pelletier’s illustrations (in pencil and charcoal, colored in digitally), mostly in soft, warm colors make the message all the more inviting.   

 

This is a wonderful book to read before bed. Indeed, there is a charming illustration where Silence and another figure, Dark, tuck in the little girl who is featured on every page. Still, the book reminds us that silence can be found at any time of day, sometimes with a bit more effort. 

 

My one quibble is that the book centers on one girl who could be white or Asian. I don’t think the text requires a single character and, by portraying different children on each page, it could help people with a range of ethnicities and abilities directly connect to the text. Moreover, I feel boys, stereotypically louder in the way they navigate the world, would benefit in seeing boy characters on some of the pages. As published, the book may reinforce a notion that girls like quiet times more. Boys need to find the comfort in silence just as much.

 

Quibble aside, this is a worthwhile book I will read a time or two again before returning it to the library. If only Silence slipped in more…