A Cup of Quiet

by Nikki Grimes, Cathy Ann Johnson (Illustrator)

From award-winning author Nikki Grimes comes a beautiful picture book about the special bond between a child and grandparent, perfect for fans of Thank You, Omu and Fry Bread.

When the squeal of tires and thrum of Grandpa's hammer fill the air, Grandma gets thirsty for a cup of quiet.

“That's silly, Grandma,” her granddaughter says. “Quiet can't fit in a cup and you can't drink it.”

But together, they venture into the garden to collect the calming sounds of nature, and their cup grows and grows.

A bee's buzz,
a leaf's crackle,
a whistling wind,
a hummingbird's whir.

By slowing down and appreciating the gentler sounds of nature, Grandma and her granddaughter step away from the hubbub of daily life and refresh. Their time together made more special by sharing a cup of quiet.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Nature, Juvenile, Contemporary, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

Published April 15, 2025

Reviews

[Amy]

This book perfectly captures my emotional state right now. I deeply love the people and world around me, but I also find myself needing moments of stillness every single day — a little time in nature, a “cup of quiet,” to recharge and center myself.

The story gently reminds us of an essential truth: people need moments of quiet, and nature offers a beautiful way to find balance and peace. It’s a powerful message, delivered in a calm, comforting tone that resonates with readers of all ages. This book isn’t just lovely — it’s grounding.

[Kate Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and sweet. I loved the concept of looking to nature for peace.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this intergenerational tale, a grandmother and her granddaughter engage in make believe to create a reprieve from all the racket in the home and around the neighborhood. With Grandma’s guidance, the little girl ends up brewing a concoction of “Nature’s noise,” which is as satisfying as it is refreshing, especially when it’s tea for two. Engaging illustrations depict what fun it can be to share the magic of the imagination.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet connection between grandmother and granddaughter (with the grandfather making a racket in the background). The girl spends some time during the summer with her grandmother drinking tea in the garden and acting out books but the grandmother says she needs a little quiet and asks her granddaughter to gather the sounds of nature into a cup as her cup of quiet.

The beauty of nature and family are on full display both in words and art for the picture book. My only issue is the hummingbird "hear its wings whirring as it sips honey from each flower" because it's nectar not honey that they're accessing which should have been fact-checked. I get the sentiment, but it's incorrect.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sweet book features a little girl who spends time with her grandma during the summer and enjoys many activities. Sometimes, Grandma just wants peace and quiet. Their journey to find a quiet, fun place translates into quiet lessons for the little girl. The illustrations are beautiful, colorful, and engaging. You can feel the love between grandma and granddaughter throughout the book. When the little girl begins collecting sounds for her grandma, you will see the depth and meaning of this amazing story. I was so happy to see a new book by Ms. Grimes, and I am so very excited to share it with my students. Great job! Bravo!Highly recommended for Grades K-5.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, somewhat autobiographical story about a grandmother and granddaughter enjoying the outdoors in a meditative way while being surrounded by life's usual chaos, from one of our national treasures, Nikki Grimes. I have been so grateful to Ms. Grimes for turning her considerable talents to nature writing centering Black children, something really needed. Her last was the award winning A Walk in the Woods with Jerry and Brian Pinkney.

This is a quieter book than A Walk in the Woods and younger, dealing with less grief.

[Shachi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warm, lyrical picture book that invites readers to stop and listen to the sounds around them. It gives voice to the need for quiet, for stillness, especially when life is loud, and does so in a way that doesn’t reject sound but rather finds sounds that are soothing. The descriptions of sound are evocative. The intergenerational of relationship adds depth and affection. I liked how the author used the metaphor of filling a cup with sounds. The artwork is full of color and texture.

[Debbie Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely book about a grandmother who is thirsty for a "cup of quiet" after she has been playing with her granddaughter and then grandpa starts to play loud music and do some construction in the house. She has her granddaughter go around the yard outside and with her imagination collect a "cup of quiet" for grandmother to "drink." Excellent writing and images and a lovely book about quiet (and not so quiet) sounds in your very own backyard.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

A girl spends a couple weeks each year with her grandparents. When her Grandmother finds the world too noisy, she takes her granddaughter to the backyard and tells her to catch a cupful of quiet for her.
I enjoyed this tale that celebrates nature's quieter sounds. I think this would make for a good bedtime or quieting down story.

[TheRetiredSchoolLibrarian |Mrs. Ferraris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summary: When a grandmother and granddaughter's day becomes a bit too noisy, they retreat to the garden to find peace and stillness together.

Comments: The illustrations were created with mixed media, watercolor, gouache, acrylic, and digital.

Rating: 4.5/5📗📗📗📗1/2

[Binxie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be a great book for a grandparent to read if they visit a grandchild's classroom. Summer means spending time with grandparents for a lot of kids. This is a cute book, love the story, illustrations are very colorful, but not my favorite. All in all a solid book.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reminds me so much of my childhood and the precious time I spent with my grandmother when she visited us. Love the imaginary play and the intensely close bond this pair have. Beautifully illustrated. And I’m often on the hunt for a cup of quiet.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story about the lovely bond between a grandmother and her granddaughter. ❤️

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read about the comfort and joy of being with your grandmother, and the need for quiet and stillness sometimes.

[Awjtf]

Sweet book!

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story about a girl and her grandma, and how they find peace and quiet in the backyard when things become too noisy and overwhelming.

[Y.Poston]

a very fun listen to nature book

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A grandmother and granddaughter find peace and quiet in nature, even as the granddaughter realizes that all that "quiet" is actually full of sounds. The illustrations were the highlight for me here.

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about time with grandma. A very warm fuzzy book. Recommend for lower elementary or a one-on-one story.

[Shanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute way to explain mindfulness

Mia’s 2nd Year of Books: Day 128

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting activities to teach a child to self soothe and self entertain. Love the artwork too.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely tribute to the bond between grandparent and grandchild, and to the value of imagination and celebrating the quiete times. A beautiful book.

[Miss Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

A child and her grandmother play pretend while searching for a quiet place in the world. elementary and up

[Cara Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fantastic concept that reinforces social emotional learning and the love between a grandmother and her granddaughter.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grandma's facial expressions had me cracking up! Coy lady 😏

[Susan Stormoen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful!

Just. Perfect.
Delightful, spirited, and resonates with young and old. What a beautiful story to share with a little one.

[Marissa Maggard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so sweet. I loved how the grandmother taught her granddaughter how peaceful the outside can be. I think that is something most kids need to learn.

[Bookworm4Life · Rating 3 out of 5]

When everyday sounds get to be too much, a grandmother and granddaughter learn how a cup of quiet can really come in handy.

As someone who has dealt with sensory with her ears pretty much all my life, I really enjoyed reading this story and how it shows how a good cup of quiet is the best thing you can make.