Willow’s Whispers was written by Lana Button and illustrated by Tonia Howells. It was published in 2010 by Kids Can Press Ltd.
Willow (female) is very shy. Every time she talks she whispers. Because she’s so quiet, all of her classmates can’t hear her. She is losing out in life because nothing really goes her way. After brainstorming how she can be heard, she makes a “magic” microphone (it looks like a tube...). At school she uses this “magic” microphone and it works well. She joins the other students in activities, she can make the teacher hear her, etc, etc. But towards the end of the story, the “magic” microphone breaks and Willow realizes that she can’t rely on that tool. Will she be able to speak in a loud voice? Well, it’s a children’s book so you probably can guess the ending.
It’s always tough to overcome your fear of speaking in a loud voice. Some people can do this naturally (my sister is a prime example) and some people may be quiet until they die (this might be me).
Willow’s Whisper is a story without much tension. It has three parts to it. In part one, she’s quiet and struggles. In part two, she is at home with her loving father and she contemplates how she can fix her quietness. In part three, she uses her tool and guts to overcome her fear of speaking up. The story is very predictable and I wasn’t very surprised by anything.
The illustrations are very simple. I’m surprised the illustrator didn’t attempt to make the room dark when Willow is in bed, unable to sleep.
Well, Willow's Whisper is well made but lacks that certain punch that makes you raise your eyebrows.
