I AM QUIET

“Grown-ups tell me, Don’t be shy. But I am not shy. I AM QUIET.”

Powers explains and advocates for introverted children in this picture book. A boy named Emile explains how wild his imagination is “on the inside,” how he explores and creates “on the outside,” and what it’s like to be around other children at school and on the playground. This is a picture of a child who is not lonely or shy (as is assumed by most of the adults around him) but who leads a rich, full, quietly lived existence. Compelling lines like “Strength can be quiet” give readers much to ponder. Petersen’s appealingly childlike illustrations bring to life Emile’s world, one full of color, creatures, mazes, and discoveries. This story reassures and empowers introverted children and conveys their strengths to extroverted children and adults. It’s also a much-needed counter to similar titles that encourage quieter children to adapt. In a meaningful author’s note, Powers discusses being both “a former quiet kid” and the parent of a quiet child. Emile is tan-skinned and brown-haired; the other children and adults he encounters are diverse in skin tone. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A refreshing, inspiring voice for young readers.