Whispers and Roars (Patrick Guest, illus Jonathan Bentley, Little Book Press)

Whispers and Roars reunites Patrick Guest and Jonathan Bentley, the creative duo behind the bestselling picture book Windows. Their latest collaboration is a thoughtful story about a young girl dealing with the ‘pesky’ inner voices many of us experience – the ones that whisper doubts, fears and unkind thoughts. As she encounters voices in her home, school and town, readers see how such worries can intrude on every part of daily life. Bentley’s illustrations are lush, detailed and richly textured, dominating the page to reflect how overwhelming anxiety can feel. Sensitive and age-appropriate, the whispers are drawn as surreal, floating creatures with tails – more visually engaging than frightening. When they appear, the palette shifts to cooler tones, with cloudy skies and distant silhouettes, conveying the isolation these thoughts can create. Reader notes at the back offer useful guidance for adults looking to explore these themes with children aged 5+. Ultimately, the book offers a hopeful message. As the colours and pages become brighter, readers discover another voice that is kind and true. When we listen to the people who believe in us, that voice grows louder and becomes a roar, showing us that we’re never alone. Simple yet powerful, Whispers and Roars offers a resonant message of resilience and self-belief.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Jess Lomas is reviews editor for Books+Publishing. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Category: Friday Unlocked reviews Reviews