Charlotte and the quiet place

Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

Charlotte, a brown-skinned girl with a mop of curly hair, struggles to find peace and quiet living in New York City: "On the sidewalk, the jackhammers blast. On the street, the sirens warble and wail." After Charlotte chases her dog into the park, the two sit under a tree where Charlotte calms her breathing and her mind, finding a "quiet place inside" she can return to as needed. Woolley uses electric starbursts and lightning bolts to visually punctuate the noises assailing Charlotte-it isn't subtle, but neither is city life. Readers who feel similarly overwhelmed may take inspiration from the way that Charlotte discovers mindfulness on her own terms. Ages 3-8. (Aug.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

---

Review by School Library Journal Review

K-Gr 2-Charlotte lives in a bustling urban neighborhood. Her home, her school, and her street seem to be filled with nothing but noise. Even the places that are supposed to be quiet, like her bedroom, the library, and the park, are loud. One day, her dog breaks free from his leash and Charlotte chases him into a quiet grove. Whenever she needs quiet from that day on, she reminds herself of the calm she found inside herself that day. The mixed-media illustrations add to Charlotte's loud surroundings but overpower the story itself. VERDICT An additional purchase for libraries looking for tales about finding inner peace and well-being.-Brittany Staszak, St. Charles Public Library, IL © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

---

Review by Horn Book Review

Charlotte longs for quiet, but "children...yammer" and "jackhammers blast." Onomatopoeia and jagged bursts of color represent the unrelenting noise. When Charlotte providently (and with unlikely efficiency) discovers internal quiet through mindfulness, cool colors and rounded shapes reflect that relief. The overall joyful visual depiction of a crowded city neighborhood balances Charlotte's stress. While lacking in narrative and character, the book introduces mindfulness effectively. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

---

Charlotte and the Quiet Place Charlotte's house is noisy. In the hallway, the floorboards groan. In the living room, the TV bellows and blares. In the kitchen, her dog, Otto, yips, yaps, and yowls. Even in her bedroom, which is supposed to be a quiet place, the old steam radiator hisses, whistles, and whines. Where can Charlotte find a quiet place? Charlotte's school is noisy. In the classroom, the bell clangs. In the lunchroom, the trays clatter and crash. On the playground, the swings creak, squeak, and rattle. Even in the library, which is supposed to be a quiet place, the children giggle, yammer, and yell. Where can Charlotte find a quiet place? Charlotte's neighborhood is very, very noisy. On the sidewalk, the jackhammers blast. On the street, the sirens warble and wail. Underground, the subway screeches, rumbles, and roars. Even in the park, which is supposed to be a quiet place, the leaf blower buzzes, blusters, and hums. "Nooo!" cries Charlotte. "I have to find a quiet place!" Excerpted from Charlotte and the Quiet Place by Deborah Sosin All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

---