A Cup of Quiet
By (Author) Nikki Grimes
Illustrated by Cathy Ann Johnson
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Bloomsbury Childrens Books
2nd September 2025
United States
Children
Fiction
Childrens / Teenage personal and social topics: Families and family members
Picture storybooks: imagination and play
Hardback
40
Width 255mm, Height 255mm
From award-winning author Nikki Grimes comes a beautiful picture book about the special bond between a child and grandparent, perfect for fans of Thank You, Omu and Fry Bread.
When the squeal of tires and thrum of Grandpa's hammer fill the air, Grandma gets thirsty for a cup of quiet.
That's silly, Grandma, her granddaughter says. Quiet can't fit in a cup and you can't drink it.
But together, they venture into the garden to collect the calming sounds of nature, and their cup grows and grows.
A bee's buzz,
a leaf's crackle,
a whistling wind,
a hummingbird's whir.
By slowing down and appreciating the gentler sounds of nature, Grandma and her granddaughter step away from the hubbub of daily life and refresh. Their time together made more special by sharing a cup of quiet.
A tranquil intergenerational story from Grimes, whose warmth and sensory detail celebrates family, creativity, and mindful noticing. * Publishers Weekly *
Playful, soothing, and beautiful. * Kirkus Reviews *
A heartfelt story of time shared with family, this story will encourage imagination and exploration with elementary and primary aged children. * School Library Journal *
Grimes signature verses, paired with Johnsons mixed media illustrations, capture the whimsical essence and the joy of quiet moments in nature. . . . Poignantly [symbolizes] a transfer of wisdom from one generation to the next, underscoring their tender bond and offering a kind invitation for young readers to spend time in nature and enjoy the refreshing sips of quiet. * BCCB *
Captures the beauty of the Southwestern United States in . . . Grimes' signature poetic lyricism and vividly depicted in Minor's gorgeous illustrations. . . . Beautiful in every way. * Kirkus Reviews, starred review, on SOUTHWEST SUNRISE *
Evocative and engaging. * School Library Journal, starred review, on SOUTHWEST SUNRISE *
Nikki Grimes is a New York Times bestselling author and the recipient of the Virginia Hamilton Lifetime Achievement Award, the ALAN Award, the Children's Literature Legacy Award, the Virginia Hamilton Literary Award, and the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. Her distinguished works include the Printz Honor and Sibert Honor book Ordinary Hazards; NAACP Image Award nominee Planet Middle School; Coretta Scott King Award winner Bronx Masquerade; Coretta Scott King Author Honor books Jazmins Notebook, Talkin About Bessie, Dark Sons, The Road to Paris, and Words with Wings, which was also named an ALA Notable Book; and What Is Goodbye, an ALA Notable Book. She lives in Corona, California.
www.nikkigrimes.com
Cathy Ann Johnson received her BFA from Columbus College of Arts and Design. She spent several years at Hallmark Greeting Cards, where she honed her skills crafting emotional content that speaks to children. Her ability to work in a range of styles merited her a position in Hallmarks Center of Excellence. Cathy Ann loves connecting words to pictures, and her whimsical and lyrical style focuses on layouts that echo a childs perspective. Her work has appeared in childrens books, magazines, posters, home dcor, gifts and more. She currently works from a small Crayola box located in Downtown Decatur, Georgia, as well as a satellite studio in Rome, Italy. In her spare time, Cathy Ann, her husband and cute doggie, enjoy roaming Rome, chasing castles in medieval towns and enjoying history and the arts.
@cathyannstudio