Maurie J. Manning Illustrations ©2006

NEW: Quiet Please, Owen McPhee!  


"Just as in Ludwig’s and Barton’s The Invisible Boy, this picture book successfully portrays a delicate school situation with sensitivity. Owen McPhee loves to talk and although he doesn’t mean to, he often interrupts his teacher, spoils surprises, and frustrates his classmates….An accessible addition to libraries that may function as a springboard for a discussion on positive communication and the importance of listening." –School Library Journal

"Like Ludwig and Barton’s previous picture book, The Invisible Boy (2013), which concerns a quiet child, this book has a purpose. It deals with a recognizable problem, offers some points to discuss, and delivers its message lightly." –Booklist

"A boy who talks too much gets some lessons on the importance of listening from his classmates…and laryngitis. The ending reflects real life in that Owen still has bouts of talkativeness, though now he does also listen for others input….Barton’s pencil-and-digital illustrations portray a very diverse classroom…Faces are incredibly expressive…Similarly talkative youngsters struggling with social interactions may want to schedule their own laryngitis day." –Kirkus Reviews

"Ludwig and Barton, the team behind The Invisible Boy, tackle the challenge of the overly talkative child. Audiences…should find the understated, reportorial-style narration and muted, cheery watercolors both sympathetic (to all sides) and most of all, hopeful." – Publishers Weekly

"This delightful story shows the beauty and benefits of tuning in and listening to others in compassionate, caring ways—something we definitely need more of in our chatter-filled world!"
- Dr. Michele Borba, bestselling author of UnSelfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World

  • Junior Library Guild Selection