The Starlings are squabbling

the Crows are making a terrible din -

it's SO NOISY the Squirrel babies just CAN'T sleep.

Squirrel knows there's only one thing to do. She must ask Owl for help...

And so begins a magical woodland journey with Owl's amazing Silence Catcher. Owl and Squirrel discover the hush inside a hollow tree...the stillness when an acorn drops...the silence between the lightning's flash and the thunder's roll. They capture pockets of peace, moments of stillness, bubbles of silence...and Owl puts them all together for Squirrel.

Now, when Squirrel goes back home to her babies, could there be A Little Bit of Hush?

This beautiful picture book encourages mindfulness, awareness of nature and ways to find peace and stillness in our noisy world.

About the Author

Paul Stewart is an internationally bestselling author of children's books. With Chris Riddell he is co-creator of the Edge Chronicles, published in over 30 languages. For Otter-Barry Books he has written Wings! (2016) and Brian the Brave (2019), winner of the Derby Picture Book Award 2020, books that celebrate "courage, self-belief, acceptance, co-operation, difference and friendship" (Red Reading Hub).

Jane Porter is a winner of the London Book Fair Illustration Prize. She loves art sessions with children and works with The National Literacy Trust, English Heritage and other organisations. She uses pen and ink, cut paper and collage to make images that reflect her love of animals and the countryside, and her sense of humour. Jane enjoys school and library workshops with children and is a brilliant deviser of creative activities. She lives in London.

Reviews

"This beautiful picture book encourages mindfulness, awareness of nature and ways to find peace and stillness in our noisy world... one to really enjoy exploring with a young reader by your side."

-- Sue Martin * Dolphin Book Blog *

"Paul Stewart's story shows the importance of silence in our busy world. Like Squirrel, we all need times without noise either to drift off to sleep or as a kind of sacred space into which we can retreat and be contemplative. In her collage illustrations, Jane Porter beautifully captures the noisy woodland environment of the creatures' quest for peace and quiet, amusingly portraying the various sources of the distractions."

-- Jill Bennett * Red Reading Hub *

"An ingenious picture book with bright collage about being alert to quietness and finding rest."

-- Nicolette Jones * The Sunday Times: Children's Book of the Week *

"This is a beautiful picture book about finding quiet moments in a cacophonous world by Paul Stewart and Jane Porter. Lovely pictures of nature. Magical story."

-- Lucy Chambers * Bookish *

"This is the perfect story for sharing at bedtime, when hopefully the stillness and silence captured by Owl and Squirrel will have the same effect on other sleepy heads, who will finally join the squirrel babies in their sweet dreams and hush."

* Books for Keeps *

"With charming collage-style illustrations, 'A Little Bit of Hush' explores how we react to noise and helps to explain mindfulness and consideration for the feelings of others with pupils in EYFS. It's also a great story to help promote peace and quiet at bedtime with younger children."

* School Reading List *



Book Information
ISBN 9781913074494
Author Paul Stewart
Format Hardback
Page Count 32
Imprint Otter-Barry Books Ltd
Publisher Otter-Barry Books Ltd