Listen

February 1, 2022
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 pr�cis 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 clich�s. (author's note, references) (Picture-book biography. 6-9)

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February 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.

March 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

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 1, 2022
Grades 1-4 Evelyn Glennie challenged not only the traditional role of a percussionist but what it means to listen to music. This picture-book biography begins with her childhood in Scotland, where she learns to play the piano by ear. But when she gradually loses her hearing, an audiologist diagnoses her with a degenerative disorder. Opting against attending a school for the Deaf, the girl defies her doctor's grim (music-less) prognosis for her future. The lyrical text instead focuses on Evelyn's experiences in a secondary school, where she learned from a percussion teacher how to perform music by listening through her body rather than just her ears, eventually becoming a deaf student at London's Royal Academy of Music. Expressive swirls of vibrant colors throughout evoke the sounds Evelyn's body feels and the beautiful music she creates in return. The book concludes with a brief look at Evelyn's career as a deaf percussionist, including being knighted by the Queen of England, while an author's note fills in more details about this artist who redefines music and disability.

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May 1, 2022
Evelyn Glennie grew up 1960s Scotland surrounded by music: her mother played the organ and her father played the accordion. By the age of eight, Evelyn could play songs by ear on the piano. She began to experience degenerative hearing loss when she was ten. She was determined to continue playing music, however; she knew that even though she couldn't hear, she could still feel its rhythm and vibrations. After high school, she auditioned for the Royal Academy of Music in London, "but they turned her down. No one believed that a deaf musician could have a career in music." Glennie fought the decision and eventually was admitted -- and because of her, "every music school in Great Britain changed its rules...No one should be turned away because of a disability." Glennie's career has taken her around the world; she has won numerous awards (including two Grammys) and was knighted in 1993. Stocker's engaging text is ably supported by Holzwarth's 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, and a list of references is appended. Maija Meadows Hasegawa

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2022
Evelyn Glennie grew up 1960s Scotland surrounded by music: her mother played the organ and her father played the accordion. By the age of eight, Evelyn could play songs by ear on the piano. She began to experience degenerative hearing loss when she was ten. She was determined to continue playing music, however; she knew that even though she couldn't hear, she could still feel its rhythm and vibrations. After high school, she auditioned for the Royal Academy of Music in London, "but they turned her down. No one believed that a deaf musician could have a career in music." Glennie fought the decision and eventually was admitted -- and because of her, "every music school in Great Britain changed its rules... No one should be turned away because of a disability." Glennie's career has taken her around the world; she has won numerous awards (including two Grammys) and was knighted in 1993. Stocker's engaging text is ably supported by Holzwarth's 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, and a list of references is appended.

(Copyright 2022 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)