The protagonist is a young girl and the text is her words, an explanation of sorts of her thoughts and feelings as she experiences different situations.
Walking into a room full of people, or sitting alone and being an observer.
Feeling like she doesn't fit in, she goes quiet.
The girl imagines, explores, reads, and tries to find ways to make her voice heard.
The story and illustrations are both by David Ouimet, who is an artist, author and musician.
As I Go Quiet progresses, it seems kind of filmic, and the tone of the illustrations moves from lighter to darker and back again.
The characters, who are most often in large, almost regimented groups, also appear visually dark and somewhat despairing or depressing.
This is certainly a book for older readers, as the pictures could scare younger children, and the concepts it conveys and the way it does so, are relatively mature in nature.
Readers who most need and understand the message in I Go Quiet will find appeal in this, a quirky and creative book.
Title: I Go Quiet
Author/Illustrator: David Ouimet
Publisher: Allen & Unwin Canongate, $24.99
Publication Date: October 2019
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781786897404
For ages: 10+
Type: Picture book for older readers
