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
Author
Shannon Stocker
Shannon Stocker is the author of picture books Listen, a Schneider Family Book Award winner; Can U Save the Day; and Warrior: A Patient’s Courageous Quest. Shannon is driven to create books for kids like her daughter, who has brain cancer, her son, who is neurodivergent, and every child like them. Shannon has Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and found freedom through her own wheelchair for two years before entering remission. She lives with her husband, two children, many critters, and a hidden stash of dark chocolate in Louisville, KY.Devon Holzwarth is a picture book illustrator, author, and painter. A Society of Illustrators gold medal winner, Devon is a recipient of the Schneider Family Book Award for Listen, and a notable Sydney Taylor Award for Tia Fortuna’s New Home. Born in Washington D.C., Devon grew up in Panamá surrounded by nature and her dad’s art supplies. She has lived in many places, and currently resides in Germany with her husband, two kids, a galgo dog from Spain, and a little dachshund from Romania.
Learn More about Shannon StockerIllustrator
Devon Holzwarth
DEVON HOLZWARTH is a picture book illustrator, author and painter. Devon earned her BFA in 2000 from the Rhode Island School of Design focusing on screen printing and painting. She is the author-illustrator of Found You as well as Sophie’s Stories, winner of a Society of Illustrators gold medal award. She has illustrated a number of other picture books, including Everywhere With You; The Story of a Book; Papa, Daddy, and Riley; All that is You; A Flicker of Hope; Not Far From Here; and Tia Fortuna’s New Home. Devon received a Schneider Family Book Award for her illustration work in Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion. Devon grew up in Panama surrounded by nature and her dad’s art supplies.
Learn More about Devon Holzwarth