Listen : How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion

A gorgeous and empowering picture book biography about Evelyn Glennie, a deaf woman, who became the first full-time solo percussionist in the world.

„No. You can’t,“ people said.
But Evelyn knew she could. She had found her own way to listen.

From the moment Evelyn Glennie heard her first note, music held her heart. She played the piano by ear at age eight, and the clarinet by age ten. But soon, the nerves in her ears began to deteriorate, and Evelyn was told that, as a deaf girl, she could never be a musician. What sounds Evelyn couldn’thear with her ears, though, she could feel resonate through her body as if she, herself, were a drum. And the music she created was extraordinary. Evelyn Glennie had learned how to listen in a new way. And soon, the world was listening too.

„Radiant.“ –Publishers Weekly
„Perfect for elementary school readers . . . Excellent.“ –SLJ
„Beautiful.“ –A Mighty Girl
„Lyrical . . . Expressive . . . Vibrant.“ –Booklist
„An intriguing, loving biography.“ –Kirkus
„Engaging [and] vibrant.“ –The Horn Book
„Fantastic.“ –Book Riot

Editorial Reviews

02/28/2022

Having learned piano and clarinet before being diagnosed with degenerative hearing loss at age 10, Evelyn Glennie (b. 1965) was determined not to forsake music, which „rolled through the farm hills“ of her native Scotland. Drawn by her school orchestra’s percussion instruments, she starts lessons with a teacher who suggests that she remove her hearing aids and feel the drums’ vibrations in her body: „every other sense intensified, as if Evelyn’s whole body had become one giant ear,“ Stocker writes. Embracing the idea that „her brain just listened differently,“ Glennie fights to attend London’s Royal Academy of Music–resulting in changed rules across British music schools–then goes on to record albums, win two Grammy Awards, and be awarded damehood by Queen Elizabeth II. Digitally enhanced watercolor, gouache, and colored pencil illustrations by Holzwarth emphasize Glennie’s experience of finding, per an author’s note, „other ways to listen,“ capturing the figure’s barefoot performances via swirling, radiant colors that pour forth from her mallets. Ages 4-8. (Apr.)
– Publishers Weekly

„Does a fantastic job of making sound come alive on the page. . . . A fantastic book.“ –Book Riot

„This beautiful picture book biography celebrates the many ways we can listen–and the incredible creativity of this pioneering artist.“ –A Mighty Girl

„Perfect for elementary school readers learning about music and fascinating women. . . . This is more than a story of overcoming discrimination due to disability–Stocker captures something about the artist’s need to be herself, regardless of abilities. . . . Lush brushstrokes, delicate character portraits, and warm colors make this a beautiful title to explore, and the ample text and sweet author’s note ensure that Glennie’s story will have an impact on readers. . . . Excellent . . . especially for musical readers looking to feel the music and not just hear it.“ –School Library Journal

„Radiant.“ –Publishers Weekly

„An intriguing, loving biography.“ –Kirkus

„Evelyn Glennie not only challenges the traditional role of a percussionist but what it means to listen to music. . . . Lyrical text [and] expressive swirls of vibrant colors throughout evoke the sounds Evelyn’s body feels and the beautiful music she creates in return.“ –Booklist

„Engaging text [and] vibrant illustrations, which effectively use color and pattern and movement to represent sound. An author’s note provides more information about this remarkable musician’s work.“ –The Horn Book

– From the Publisher

03/18/2022

Gr 3-6–The life of deaf percussionist Evelyn Glennie dances and swirls across the page in this vibrantly illustrated picture book biography that is perfect for elementary school readers learning about music and fascinating women. Glennie’s story begins in Scotland, where she can play music by ear by the age of 10. Soon thereafter, she loses her hearing, and it seems as if she will lose access to music, too. A compassionate teacher, Ron Forbes, understands that Glennie feels the music with every part of her being, and she becomes an essential musician in any percussion section. This is more than a story of overcoming discrimination due to disability–Stocker captures something about the artist’s need to be herself, regardless of abilities. Glennie is making music to this day. Lush brushstrokes, delicate character portraits, and warm colors make this a beautiful title to explore, and the ample text and sweet author’s note ensures that Glennie’s story will have an impact on readers. VERDICT An excellent addition to biography sections, especially for musical readers looking to feel the music and not just hear it.–Aryssa Damron
– School Library Journal

2022-01-12
Stocker and Holzwarth tell the story of Evelyn Glennie, a profoundly Deaf world-renowned solo percussionist.

The story opens with Glennie’s musical childhood in the Scottish countryside. She was well on her way to becoming a skilled pianist and clarinetist when she started losing her hearing around the age of 10. Despite her doctor’s gloomy prognostication–„she’s never going to be able to play music“–young Evelyn refused to give up her dream. Drawn to her high school orchestra’s percussion section, she solicited the help of music teacher Ron Forbes, who taught her how to use her body to sense the vibrations of percussion instruments. Despite challenges, including the discrimination she faced as a Deaf person, Glennie persevered and was eventually accepted into the Royal Academy of Music in London. The story closes with a précis of her groundbreaking career achievements. Holzwarth’s illustrations–rendered in watercolor, gouache, and color pencil with digital touches–are charming and effectively portray the dynamics of sound visually. Some kids may be turned off by the wordy text and small font size. The implicit narrative framing of a disabled person as „inspirational“ and having „overcome“ their disability is problematic. This and the tired juxtaposition of Deaf school with failure and mainstream school with success are unfortunate blemishes in an otherwise sweet and educational book. Like too many children’s books featuring deafness, this story would appeal to hearing or oral Deaf children but might not be an appropriate choice for signing Deaf children.

An intriguing, loving biography that’s unfortunately marred by some disparaging clichés. (author’s note, references) (Picture-book biography. 6-9)
– Kirkus Reviews