Book Review for Quiet as Mud by Jane Yolen

I received this book for free. This does not impact my review in any shape or form.

Quiet as Mud, by Jane Yolen, is a children’s picture book about the beauties of being introverted. From taking in your surroundings, to being grateful for all the little things that others might not see, Yolen describes how a child grows into themselves by acknowledging the fun, wonderful things around them. The child isn’t burdened with other people’s expectations; instead they’re encouraged to explore their external and internal worlds, all the while figuring out what makes them unique.  

I can definitely see this book in an alternative classroom setting, such as a green preschool, or even in science classrooms, if only to introduce a conservation unit. The artist’s style made me nostalgic for my own teachers when I was younger (its interesting how most beloved teachers were in elementary school). I liked how comfortable our protagonist was in exploring the environment around her, from the forest to the meadows to even the stars. They remind me of books such as Where the Wild Things Are or even Bridge to Terabithia, where we get to see the silent wonders of the world children’s imaginations transport them to. Moreover, I feel that the poem Yalen had introduced at the beginning of the book by Margaret Wise Brown showcases the overall vision, this book, in and of itself, can be a type of bibliotherapy. 

I’ve always enjoyed books from the APA, and this was no different. I can certainly see myself reading these to adults who are struggling with their self-esteem, or nature therapy groups who are hoping to include more childlike innocence into their treatment protocols. As such, I would give this book a five out of five stars.