Listening to the Quiet

Jacki’s mum is staring to lose her hearing. However, together they are discovering different ways of doing things. Mum now has fairy lights that twinkle to tell her when friends are at the door, and a sensor flashes to remind her to take the cake out of the oven. Plus mother and daughter are learning to sign so they “will still be able to tell each other everything”. Yes, there are lots of things they can do to prepare. 

But then at school, when everyone is enjoying music time, Jacki is overcome by waves of sadness and guilt, at being able to hear sounds that her mum will miss. If Mum cannot continue to enjoy her favourite song, Jacki is not sure she can enjoy sound anymore either. However,it’s Jacki herself who comes up with an ingenious idea.  

This is a beautiful and powerful picture book about a parent and child exploring new ways to enjoy life – and music – together. With real sign language woven into the illustrations, it’s also based on events from the author’s own childhood when her mum became deaf. 

We learn how physical adjustments are just one part of adapting to sensory loss. We see her schoolfriends learning new ways of enjoying music too, as Jacki leads her friends in as joyous stamp-along along to Mum’s favourite song, while Mum experiences the vibrations and signs the words.  

A touching book featuring a diverse cast of characters.