Parents' Guide to The Boy Who Said Wow

Book Todd Boss Picture Book 2024
The Boy Who Said Wow book cover: Boy and grandfather sit in red concert hall seats, musical instruments arranged on stage.

Common Sense Media Review

Sun Cooper By Sun Cooper , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 3+

Joyful music inspires a nonverbal boy to speak.

Parents Need to Know

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age 6+

Based on 1 parent review

 

 

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What's the Story?

Inspired by a true story, THE BOY WHO SAID WOW is Ronan, a young boy who navigates his world largely in silence. His parents are supportive and protective, offering opportunities for both activities and quietness. One day, his adventurous Grandfather encourages Ronan to go to the symphony hall with him. There, the music delights Ronan so much that a loud, "WOW!" slips out. Everyone in the concert hall is delighted, too. The book closes with a note about the event and the boy who inspired it.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 1 ):
Kids say : Not yet rated

This sweet story is proof of music's power to move across barriers of everyday noise -- and sometimes too much noise -- to reach even the youngest, quietest listeners. There are two symphonies in The Boy Who Said Wow -- the real, musical one and the ongoing symphony conducted by Ronan's family. His parents orchestrate a peaceful home for their sensitive boy, while the grandfather brings risk and opportunity. The parents adjust and support young Ronan in accessing that adventure for a full and wondrous life. With tenderness towards the realities of a young boy with neurodivergence, author Todd Boss has made poetry of young Ronan's quiet perceptions and responses to the world around him. Rashin Kheiriyeh's engaging illustrations punctuate the pages with a happy red color which hints at the joyful exclamation to come. A great pick for music loving kids and adults.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how music makes them feel. In The Boy Who Said Wow, Ronan thinks the symphony instruments playing together sound like "a sky full of stars." What is your favorite song or musical instrument? How does it make you feel when you hear it?

  • In the book, Ronan is often quiet. Do you ever just feel like being quiet sometimes?

  • The word "wow" has been around for a very long time. Hundreds of years ago, all the way back to Scotland, people used it word to communicate amazement. When have you said "wow"? What's amazed or surprised you recently?

Book Details

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The Boy Who Said Wow book cover: Boy and grandfather sit in red concert hall seats, musical instruments arranged on stage.

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