A gorgeous and empowering picture book biography about Evelyn Glennie, a deaf woman, who became the first full-time solo percussionist in the world.
"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’thear 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
FINALIST
| 2023 Cybils
AWARD
| 2023 ALA Notable Children's Book
AWARD
| 2023 Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
AWARD
| 2023 Schneider Family Book Award
* Schneider Family Book Award Winner * * ALA Notable Children’s Book * * Anna Dewdney Read Together Award Honor * * Cybils Award Finalist * * Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year * * Crystal Kite Finalist *
"Does a fantastic job of making sound come alive on the page. . . . A fantastic book." —Book Riot
"This beautiful picture book biography celebrates the many ways we can listen—and the incredible creativity of this pioneering artist." —A Mighty Girl
"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
"Radiant." —Publishers Weekly
"If you’ve ever faced a challenge in music, sports, or any part of your life, this book is a perfect fit. Kids who like illustrated biographies will also enjoy it. [Shannon] Stocker writes very movingly about [Evelyn] Glennie’s life. . . . The book is uplifting. It inspires courage. I strongly recommend it." —Time for Kids (TFK Kid Reporter)
“An intriguing, loving biography.” —Kirkus
“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
Shannon Stocker is an author and proud word nerd. She lives with her husband, Greg, and her children, Cassidy and Tye, in Louisville, KY, where she molds words into picture books and songs all day. Shannon currently serves as SCBWI social co-director for Louisville, a judge for Rate Your Story, and created the blog series, Pivotal Moments: inHERview, highlighting transitional life stories of female picture book authors. She is also the author of the picture book Can U Save the Day? and the 21st Century Junior Library: Together We Can: Pandemic early reader series.
Devon Holzwarth grew up in Panama with the jungle as her garden and parrots and iguanas as pets. Devon earned her BFA in 2000 from the Rhode Island School of Design, focusing on screen printing and painting. Childhood memories and her collection of vintage children's books strongly inspire her work. She currently lives in Aachen, Germany, with her husband, two kids, and beloved old hound dog.
A gorgeous and empowering picture book biography about Evelyn Glennie, a deaf woman, who became the first full-time solo percussionist in the world.
"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’thear 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
Awards
FINALIST
| 2023 Cybils
AWARD
| 2023 ALA Notable Children's Book
AWARD
| 2023 Bank Street College Best Children's Book of the Year
AWARD
| 2023 Schneider Family Book Award
Reviews
* Schneider Family Book Award Winner * * ALA Notable Children’s Book * * Anna Dewdney Read Together Award Honor * * Cybils Award Finalist * * Bank Street Best Children’s Book of the Year * * Crystal Kite Finalist *
"Does a fantastic job of making sound come alive on the page. . . . A fantastic book." —Book Riot
"This beautiful picture book biography celebrates the many ways we can listen—and the incredible creativity of this pioneering artist." —A Mighty Girl
"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
"Radiant." —Publishers Weekly
"If you’ve ever faced a challenge in music, sports, or any part of your life, this book is a perfect fit. Kids who like illustrated biographies will also enjoy it. [Shannon] Stocker writes very movingly about [Evelyn] Glennie’s life. . . . The book is uplifting. It inspires courage. I strongly recommend it." —Time for Kids (TFK Kid Reporter)
“An intriguing, loving biography.” —Kirkus
“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
Author
Shannon Stocker is an author and proud word nerd. She lives with her husband, Greg, and her children, Cassidy and Tye, in Louisville, KY, where she molds words into picture books and songs all day. Shannon currently serves as SCBWI social co-director for Louisville, a judge for Rate Your Story, and created the blog series, Pivotal Moments: inHERview, highlighting transitional life stories of female picture book authors. She is also the author of the picture book Can U Save the Day? and the 21st Century Junior Library: Together We Can: Pandemic early reader series.
Devon Holzwarth grew up in Panama with the jungle as her garden and parrots and iguanas as pets. Devon earned her BFA in 2000 from the Rhode Island School of Design, focusing on screen printing and painting. Childhood memories and her collection of vintage children's books strongly inspire her work. She currently lives in Aachen, Germany, with her husband, two kids, and beloved old hound dog.
