Jacki’s mother is slowly losing her hearing.
Jacki uses sign language to talk at home and Mama relies on flashing lights and vibrations to know what is going on around her.
Jacki’s mum can also lipread, which comes in handy when friends visit.
Although all of this is part of Jacki’s life, she still worries that others don’t understand. She worries about her mum missing out. But how will she communicate this to her classmates and help them appreciate their senses?
Listening to the Quiet explores all the ways we can ‘hear’ when we can’t actually hear.
Told through Jacki’s eyes in a recount style, the storytelling is simple but powerful. There’s enough information to generate awareness but also enough scope for wonder and to encourage further exploration after reading into how we hear and how sound is made.
Author Cassie Silva has experienced Jacki’s world first-hand with her own mother, making Jacki’s story even more relatable. In the telling, Cassie has created a sliding door that invites readers into her world, and a mirror for readers who themselves have a hearing loss or live with someone who does.
Frances Ives’ illustrations are both warm and captivating, focusing in on the characters and depicting the bond between mother and daughter as they navigate this path together.
Do spend time with the endpages because there is more there than what you may initially see.
If nothing else, this beautiful story will raise awareness and encourage us all to take time to ‘listen to the quiet’.
Highly recommended for all ages but particularly for young children who may themselves be facing life with a parent or grandparent who has hearing loss. Also recommended for classrooms in which there is a child with hearing sensitivities.
Title: Listening to the Quiet
Author: Cassie Silva
Illustrator: Frances Ives
Publisher: Lantana $24.99
Publication Date: 30 June 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781915244482
For ages: 3 – 5
Type: Picture Book
Although all of this is part of Jacki’s life, she still worries that others don’t understand. She worries about her mum missing out. But how will she communicate this to her classmates and help them appreciate their senses?
Listening to the Quiet explores all the ways we can ‘hear’ when we can’t actually hear.
Told through Jacki’s eyes in a recount style, the storytelling is simple but powerful. There’s enough information to generate awareness but also enough scope for wonder and to encourage further exploration after reading into how we hear and how sound is made.
Author Cassie Silva has experienced Jacki’s world first-hand with her own mother, making Jacki’s story even more relatable. In the telling, Cassie has created a sliding door that invites readers into her world, and a mirror for readers who themselves have a hearing loss or live with someone who does.
Frances Ives’ illustrations are both warm and captivating, focusing in on the characters and depicting the bond between mother and daughter as they navigate this path together.
Do spend time with the endpages because there is more there than what you may initially see.
If nothing else, this beautiful story will raise awareness and encourage us all to take time to ‘listen to the quiet’.
Highly recommended for all ages but particularly for young children who may themselves be facing life with a parent or grandparent who has hearing loss. Also recommended for classrooms in which there is a child with hearing sensitivities.
Title: Listening to the Quiet
Author: Cassie Silva
Illustrator: Frances Ives
Publisher: Lantana $24.99
Publication Date: 30 June 2026
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781915244482
For ages: 3 – 5
Type: Picture Book
