A Cup of Quiet Perfect Picture Book Friday

A little imagination is all that's needed to create the perfect day for a granddaughter and her grandmother. 

text copyright Nikki Grimes, 2025, illustrations copyright Cathy Ann Johnson, 2025, Bloomsbury Children's Books

When playtime gets disturbed by noises all around, a young granddaughter and her grandmother escape to nature to find quiet--and maybe even a little rest. But will buzzing bees, noisy crows, and booming thunder destroy the peace they're looking for? Readers will love joining in the search for quiet, as imagination and the wonders of nature become the centerpiece to a perfect day.

With illustrations as vibrant as the main characters' imaginations, A CUP OF QUIET will challenge readers to recognize and experience the peaceful beauty found in nature. It may even inspire a little imagination, as well! Featuring intergenerational relationships, and brimming with witty insight and lyrical prose, this picture book makes the perfect gift for a special "Grand," as well as an excellent read-aloud for library, school, or at-home settings. 

Title:  A CUP OF QUIET

Author:  Nikki Grimes

Illustrator:  Cathy Ann Johnson

Publisher:  Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2025

Age:  3-6

Themes:  Intergenerational relationships; Imagination; Natural world

Here are a few activities that align with the themes in this book: 

• ​​Plan a visit to a grandparent's house. What activities will you do together? Is there something you can do together that involves imagination? 
• Write a letter or draw a picture for a grandparent who lives far away, or who you aren't able to visit. 
• Go outside, where it's quiet, and collect sounds in nature. Make a list of all the sounds you discovered. Which ones were your favorites? 
• Conversation starters: "What are your favorite things to do with your grandparents?"  "If you had a cup that captured the peaceful sounds of nature, which sounds would you catch? Why?" "What ways do you use your imagination?" "What are some of your favorite things to imagine?"

Looking for more perfect picture books? Check out Susanna Leonard Hill's website!