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Katrina Goldsaito
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Julia Kuo
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The Sound of Silence Kindle Edition

by Katrina Goldsaito (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 117 ratings
See all formats and editions
Previous page
  1. Reading age
    3 - 8 years, from customers
  2. Print length
    40 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 3
  5. Lexile measure
    AD700L
  6. Publisher
    Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
  7. Publication date
    August 2, 2016
  8. Page Flip
    Not Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Not Enabled
  11. Sticky notes
    Not Enabled
  12. ISBN-13
    978-0316203371
  13. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

K-Gr 4—On a rainy, bustling morning in Tokyo, a young boy is surrounded by a symphony of sounds: boots squishing, raindrops pattering, cars rushing, and, to his delight, a koto player producing a range of high, low, and "twangy and twinkling" notes as she tunes her instrument. When Yoshio asks the musician what her favorite sound is, she answers, "Ma," the silence between sounds. Intrigued by her comment, the boy spends his day in search of the elusive ma. Kuo's art provides the backdrop for the child's quest in scenes of contemporary Tokyo, from the high-speed Shinkansen trains that pass through its stations ("whoosh") to the bamboo grove near the school playground that whispers "takeh-takeh-taheh." Most of the images (in pen, with color added digitally) span spreads, offering wide-angle views of the city, but there are a few single-page pictures, proffering their own unique perspectives. The art is rich in detail and features a variety of concentrated colors that give way to muted grays and browns when suddenly, while reading, Yoshi experiences ma, something that feels peaceful, "still inside him." In an author's note, Goldsaito acknowledges the influence of the Japanese composer Toru Takemitsu, who believed that "without silence, sound would be meaningless." VERDICT This book will be especially welcome in settings that teach yoga or mindfulness, but its message and striking art will be appreciated anywhere the din of daily life can overwhelm.—Daryl Grabarek, School Library Journal

Review

"An illustrated serenade to the art of listening to one's inner voice amid the noise of modern life." "Goldsaito's lyrical writing, part ballad and part haiku, and Kuo's illustrations, midway between manga and Chris Ware yet thoroughly original, carry the story with effortless poetic enchantment."-Maria Popova, Brain Pickings

"Kuo (Daisy and Josephine) draws with an architect's precise line, alternating gallery-worthy spreads of Tokyo's crowds and buildings with domestic scenes of Yoshio and his family. Debut author Goldsaito's final passages about ma successfully illuminate the term and could be used to teach children to meditate, the way Goldsaito's father taught her, as she explains in an afterword." -Publisher's Weekly

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01922I29W
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (August 2, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 2, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 7831 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Not enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 40 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 117 ratings

About the authors

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Previous page
  1. Julia Kuo

    Julia Kuo

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Julia Kuo is the author and illustrator of Let’s Do Everything and Nothing and Luminous: Living Things that Light Up the Night. She is the illustrator of many picture and specialty books including the bestselling book RISE. Julia has created editorial illustrations for publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Economist. She has taught at Columbia College Chicago and at her alma mater, Washington University in St. Louis.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Katrina Goldsaito

    Katrina Goldsaito

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Katrina Goldsaito’s favorite sound is

    the sound of bare feet on tatami

    mats. In Tokyo,she worked as

    an on-camera TV journalist and producer

    for NHK-World, and has written

    for National Geographic, The Christian

    Science Monitor, NPR, and The Japan

    Times. She lives near Golden Gate Park

    with her husband and son, and spends

    her days eating avocados and working

    on her first YA novel. You can visit her

    at katrinagoldsaito.com.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
117 global ratings
A beautiful and inspiring story
5 Stars
A beautiful and inspiring story
This is a truly special book about the peace that can be found in the quiet moments in between sounds-known to the Japanese as 'ma'. Young Yoshia's interest is piqued by a woman playing a koto in the street, which begins his ardent search for 'ma', or silence. The author's words paint a vivid picture of all the unique and interesting sounds that fill the world, while Yoshia continues his search. This is a well-written and beautifully illustrated book that reminds us of the beauty that lies in the stillness and the quiet of everyday life. I feel truly grateful to have been given this special book. #gifted #ReadYourWorld
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Top reviews from the United States

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5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book!
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5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful story
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2023
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5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational and Poetic.
Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2016
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5.0 out of 5 stars A book that delights and awes
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2016
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MamaPhD
5.0 out of 5 stars Essential "Slow-parenting" tool for sure!
Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2016
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gordon baker
4.0 out of 5 stars To my surprise they both understood the message and loved the artwork
Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2016
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joyoustoo
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely book
Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2021
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Living in Freedom!
5.0 out of 5 stars Making friends with quiet
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2017
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Catherine Neily
5.0 out of 5 stars Encourages Mindfulness
Reviewed in Canada on November 22, 2019
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Fieldwanderer
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 7, 2020
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Gaia
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best children’s books for children between 4 and 100 years
Reviewed in Germany on November 2, 2017
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5.0 out of 5 stars Good story and beautiful illustrations
Reviewed in Spain on February 16, 2017
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johanna s
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
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