Listen
HOW EVELYN GLENNIE, A DEAF GIRL, CHANGED PERCUSSION
WRITTEN BY SHANNON STOCKER
ILLUSTRATED BY DEVON HOLZWARTH
* Schneider Family Book Award Winner *
A gorgeous and empowering picture book biography about Evelyn Glennie, a deaf woman, who became the first full-time solo percussionist in the world. A robust author’s note brings further detail and highlights Evelyn’s own voice.
"No. You can't," people said.
But Evelyn knew she could. She had found her own way to listen.
From the moment Evelyn Glennie heard her first note, music held her heart. She played the piano by ear at age eight, and the clarinet by age ten. But soon, the nerves in her ears began to deteriorate, and Evelyn was told that, as a deaf girl, she could never be a musician. What sounds Evelyn couldn’t hear with her ears, though, she could feel resonate through her body as if she, herself, were a drum. And the music she created was extraordinary. Evelyn Glennie had learned how to listen in a new way. And soon, the world was listening too.
"Radiant."
—Publishers Weekly
"Perfect for elementary school readers . . . Excellent."
—SLJ
"Beautiful."
–A Mighty Girl
“Lyrical . . . Expressive.”
—Booklist
“An intriguing, loving biography.”
—Kirkus
"Engaging [and] vibrant."
—The Horn Book
"Fantastic."
—Book Riot
"I strongly recommend it."
—Time for Kids
“Evelyn Glennie not only challenges the traditional role of a percussionist but what it means to listen to music. . . . Lyrical text [and] expressive swirls of vibrant colors throughout evoke the sounds Evelyn’s body feels and the beautiful music she creates in return.”
—Booklist
"Engaging text [and] vibrant illustrations, which effectively use color and pattern and movement to represent sound. An author’s note provides more information about this remarkable musician’s work."
—The Horn Book
"Perfect for elementary school readers learning about music and fascinating women. . . . This is more than a story of overcoming discrimination due to disability—Stocker captures something about the artist’s need to be herself, regardless of abilities. . . . Lush brushstrokes, delicate character portraits, and warm colors make this a beautiful title to explore, and the ample text and sweet author’s note ensure that Glennie’s story will have an impact on readers. . . . Excellent . . . especially for musical readers looking to feel the music and not just hear it."
—School Library Journal
"Does a fantastic job of making sound come alive on the page. . . . A fantastic book."
—Book Riot
● SOCIETY OF ILLUSTRATORS Original Art Exhibition
● Schneider Family Book Award (ALA)
● 2023 ALSC Notable Audiobook
● Anna Dewdney Award Nominee
● Cybils Awards Finalist
● Five Books - Best kids books of 2023
● DCLA SLS Three Stars Book Award List 2024 (District of Columbia Library Association, School Library Section) 1 of 15 nominees.
● USBBY 2023 Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities
● Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year
● Nominated for California Young Reader Medal
Inside the book
