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Charlotte Zolotow
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If You Listen Hardcover – July 11, 2002

by Charlotte Zolotow (Author), Stefano Vitale (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 7 ratings
See all formats and editions
This loving tale about loss from two-time Caldecott Honor winner Charlotte Zolotow is a gentle, reassuring approach to a subject that's always challenging for parents to discuss with children. In it, a mother comforts her daughter about the absence of the child's father by explaining that if she listens hard, she'll feel him far away sending love to her. Our new edition of this timeless story is accompanied by stunning artwork by award-winning illustrator Stefano Vitale.
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Previous page
  1. Reading age
    5 - 9 years
  2. Print length
    32 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Kindergarten - 3
  5. Dimensions
    10.5 x 0.25 x 10.25 inches
  6. Publisher
    Running Press
  7. Publication date
    July 11, 2002
  8. ISBN-10
    0762413352
  9. ISBN-13
    978-0762413355
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A girl longs for her faraway father in If You Listen (1980) by Charlotte Zolotow, newly illustrated with serene illustrations painted on wood by Stefano Vitale. "If I can't see him, or hear him, or feel his hugs, how can I know he loves me when he isn't here?" she asks her mother. In one spread of mother and daughter listening and waiting, Vitale's surreal scene recalls Chirico in composition and palette. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Charlotte Zolotow has written more than seventy-five books for children. Her classic books include The Storm Book, a 1953 Caldecott Honor, Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present, a 1963 Caldecott Honor, My Grandson Lew, winner of the 1974 Christopher Medal, and the highly acclaimed William's Doll. Ms. Zolotow lives in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Running Press (July 11, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 32 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0762413352
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0762413355
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 5 - 9 years
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Kindergarten - 3
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.5 x 0.25 x 10.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 7 ratings

About the authors

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Previous page
  1. Charlotte Zolotow

    Charlotte Zolotow

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    Charlotte Zolotow—author, editor, publisher, and educator—has one of the most distinguished reputations in the field of children's literature. She has written more than seventy books, many of which are picture-book classics, such as Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present and William's Doll. She lives in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Marc Simont

    Marc Simont

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    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
7 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

A busy mom.
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful book.
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2016
Verified Purchase
Love this book. It's hard to tell if the father has died or is just gone somewhere for an extended period, but either way, it deals with the feelings a child has for missing their parent. Love the art work. I used it as a great way for children to relate to their heavenly father.
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Medic Mania03
3.0 out of 5 stars maybe my kids are too young.
Reviewed in the United States on April 18, 2009
Verified Purchase
My 5yr old and 4 yr old loved the illustrations, but the abstractions and drawn out rythym of the book lost them.
One person found this helpful
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D. Houck
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2015
Verified Purchase
good book
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Soaring Heart
5.0 out of 5 stars WATCH THE BIRDS
Reviewed in the United States on July 2, 2004
IF YOU LISTEN...wow, that title get's attention. I have so much to share with/teach my child and this book's title is perfect to whisper to her and get her in the mood to LISTEN. "How do you know if someone far away is loving you?" a little girl asked her mother. Truth is, we all ask ourselves this with so many family/friends over the miles. The mother answers in a way that is very interesting and beautiful with simple, yet great descriptive writing that pulls the reader into the pictures and beyond..."You have to stop when you're lonely and listen," said her mother....If you listen hard you'll feel someone far away sending love to you." After listening to her mother's examples, the little girl sits outside under a clear blue sky. "One bird circled and circled overhead. She watched until he flew away." There is so much more I'd like to say but get this book and share it with your child and encourage them to become listeners. Listening is something that we never "graduate" from. It is a continuous learning experience and more importantly, a gift of love and respect to the speaker.
Soar!
26 people found this helpful
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Plume45
3.0 out of 5 stars Gentle Maternal Advice on Coping with Loss
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2013
A litte girl yearns for her long-absent father to reutrn homne. We are not told where he is or why he has been separated from his family for so long, but her young heart aches for the lost paternal relationship. In this gentle, compassionate book without a plot a wise mother tries to comfort her wistful daughter by teaching her secrets of the heart. Touching illustrations by Stefano Vitale focus on the child's desolate environment, for her view of nature is shaped--even inspired--by visions of her father as she rememebrs him. For children 4-8.
One person found this helpful
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