The Cold Little Voice by Alison Hughes, illustrated by Jan Dolby

The Cold Little Voice by Alison Hughes, illustrated by Jan Dolby. Clockwise Press, 9781988347110, 2019

 Format: Hardcover

Rating 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a starred review) 5

Genre: Picture book

 What did you like about the book? There is probably not a single time in a child’s life where this book will not come in handy.  In this story, a little girl has a cold little voice that follows her everywhere she goes.  This voice whispers all kinds of negative things to her such as “you are silly”, “you’re not good enough”, “your front teeth are crooked”.  The little voice continues with the negative comments despite the little girl’s trying to ignore this voice.  Eventually, she discovers another voice inside herself — one that tells her she is better than she thinks she is, one that encourages her, and one that makes her feel good about herself.  In time, the little girl no longer hears the negative voice but only the positive voice.  She learns to surround herself with people and things that give her pleasure and make her feel special and loved.

This is a very positive book about being yourself and silencing the doubts that keep whispering in your ear.

Anything you didn’t like about it? Nothing

To whom would you recommend this book?  This would be perfect for children ages three to about nine.  Even though it is a picture book and some nine year olds are phasing out of picture books, this message is too powerful to pass up.  I could see a reading of this book leading to some wonderful discussions about being good to yourself and believing in yourself.  Actually, I cannot think of an age when this message would not be needed.

Who should buy it? Public and elementary school libraries, preschools, day cares, anyone that works with children between the ages of three and nine.

Where would you shelve it? Picture books

 Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” pile? Yes

Reviewer:  Kristin Guay, Centerville Library, Centerville, MA

Date of Review:  February 7, 2019