Reviews

I Go Quiet by David Ouimet

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bibliobrandie's review

4.0

“When I read, I know there are languages that I will speak.” What a beautiful book! I know a few quiet students who will adore this picture book.

sejones's review

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dark emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

laura_6's review

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was as though a Shaun Tan book had words. Every student wears a mouse mask, there are huge birds peering into windows, and everything looks like a factory. Hmm, what could possibly be the message? Tongue in cheek, of course, but this, I would imagine, would be a great book for parents who are activists and want to help their child understand why they do what they do, and what the child might be able to do if they don't feel heard themselves--albeit in an abstract way, but sometimes abstract can help with the big picture ideas. The illustrations are dark and beautifully intricate, and the narrative is Gaiman-esque with how eerie and strange it is.

Overall, this was just so interesting, and I think I could probably stare at it for hours and still find something new. Creative, provocative, and unlike any other picture book I've seen this year.

Review cross-listed here!

itselvv's review against another edition

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”حينما أقرأ
أشعر وكأن كل حيٍّ هو جزءٌ مني
ربما أكون جزءًا من كل شيءٍّ حي أيضًا.
نعم، أحيانًا أخفت
لكن يومًا ما، سوف أصدر ضجيجًا لامعًا وبرَّاقًا.“

ما أجملها وما أعمقها من قصة. أراها عن أن يخفت ضوءك وصوتك لأنك تشعر أن لا أحد قادر على فهمك ولا أحد يشبهك، وعن أن تدرك أن لذلك نهاية، وأنك ستجد صوتك وضوءك مجددًا. أو تكون كذلك نقد لاذع للنظام التعليمي، في كل الأحوال، أدعم وأحب كلا الفكرتان. ليس للأطفال بالمناسبة، غامض وكئيب ومرعب نوعًا ما.

ash_among_the_stars's review

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dark reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

rebekahf's review

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5.0

An introverted girl struggles to find her place in a noisy world. She believes she is too insignificant and misunderstood to communication with the people in her life.

Anxious about how she thinks she should look and speak, the girl stays silent, turning to books to transport her to a place where she is connected to the world, and where her words hold power. As she soon discovers, her imagination is not far from reality, and she begins to see possibilities for herself beyond the present. A future where voice will finally be heard is within her.

Read full review here: https://www.nzbooklovers.co.nz/post/i-go-quiet-by-david-ouimet

alongreader's review

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5.0

I've been trying to write this review for days, and I'm still going to miss a thought or forget something, because this is the kind of book with something new to discover every time you look at it. The story is about an introverted child learning that being introverted isn't a problem or an illness to be healed, but my attention was grabbed on every page by the illustrations. My favourite is the various views of the patchwork city, but there's so much to look at in every single one. Definitely one to take your time over, savour, and come back to again and again. Wonderful.