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About the Book

On the sandy shore of a big sea lived a bird named Ellie who had no voice. 

“Everything else has a voice,” Ellie thought sadly. “The trees rustle. The waves crash. 

Even the rain sings when it falls.”

“I’m the only one who can’t make a sound.”

Ellie felt tears well up in her eyes—that’s how sad she was to be voiceless.

Ellie’s life is turned upside down when she finds a curious instrument on the shore that makes the most amazing sound when she blows into it: Trööömmmpffff! Creatures come from near and far to hear Ellie’s magnificent new voice. But when Ellie learns that the horn actually belongs to Duke Junior who is desperately unhappy without it, she goes on an adventure to return the horn to its rightful owner. After days and nights of searching, she finds Duke Junior on an island in the middle of the water. To her surprise and delight, Duke Junior doesn’t just toot Tröömmmpfff on the horn… he plays the most beautiful music! Ellie is so happy that Duke Junior has his horn back and can produce such lovely sounds that she’s content listening to his tunes and being herself.

Praise for Ellie’s Voice, or Trööömmmpffff

“If illustrations could make noise, then Piret Raud's art would sing…. Ellie's Voice will likely give readers, too, the feels and something to think about. Estonian author/illustrator Raud's parable of self-acceptance, which features intricate black-and-white images of egg-shaped and otherwise oblong animals built with careful lines and pointillistic dots, harbors some applause-worthy sight gags…. The black-and-white line-and-dot art in this animal-centric parable about a lost horn is music to the eyes.”

—Nell Beram, Shelf Awareness

“An adorably whimsical Estonian picture book…. Ellie’s Voice is a sweet parable about self-acceptance and selflessness, two important themes. But what makes this book so very special? Piret Raud’s marvelously intricate, witty black-and-white illustrations…. Adam Cullen’s poetic translation doesn’t hurt the appeal of this wonderful story either.” 

—Nanette McGuinness, Global Literature in Libraries Initiative

“It's easy to sympathize with Ellie as she watches the world around her express itself through noise, while she has none. Her discovery of a fitting 'voice' is a bit different than what one might expect, but it works. Young listeners will not only identify with her problem, but be drawn in by the originality and imagination…. The illustrations in this book are lovely. Done in black and white, the tiny details are exquisite and really shine with their whimsical, imaginative flair…. It's a treat to flip through again and again, and earns a special spot on the bookshelf.”

—Bookworm for Kids

“ESTONIA IN THE HOUSE!!! A voiceless creature (Ellie) finds an instrument that brings attention for its incredible sound, but when Ellie realizes it belongs to someone else, she sets out to return the horn to its rightful owner. Quirky black and white illustrations set a contemplative tone not often seen in picture books.”

—Travis Jonker, 100 Scope Notes, The Most Astonishingly Unconventional Children’s Books of 2020

“An intriguing story about acceptance, knowing when it’s best to listen, and knowing when it’s wise to give over one’s voice to someone else. As an American reader, I can’t help but think of the notion of #ownvoices; this could almost be a literal translation of the idea. And Raud has a distinctive style. The book’s bizarre creatures are intricately drawn in copious white space…. it’s a surreal landscape Raud creates, much different from what we tend to see in American picture books.”

—Julie Danielson, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast

“A stunning and emotive picture book with text and images that truly sing.”

—Outside in World

“These whimsical, charming prints caught my eye, as well as the title... With great empathy and kindness, this special book stole my heart.”

—Robin, Books on the Square (Providence, RI)

View the Illustrations

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Piret Raud was born in 1971 in Tallinn, Estonia. She has studied printmaking at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Since graduating in 1995 she has been living and working in Tallinn as a graphic artist, book illustrator and author. She has illustrated approximately fifty books, written eighteen books for children and one novel for adults.

ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR

Adam Cullen is a poet and translator of Estonian prose, poetry, theater, and children’s literature into English. A member of the Estonian Writers’ Union, some of his most recent published translations include Between Two Sounds (Joonas Sildre, Plough, 2024), Panga-Rehe Stories (Jüri Arrak, 50 Watts Books, 2022), Oskar and the Things (Andrus Kivirähk, The Emma Press, 2022), and I Am an Artist (Kertu Sillaste, Graffeg, 2021, longlisted for the 2023 UKLA Book Awards). His translation of Martin Algus’s radio drama The Lion won the 2022 BBC Audio Drama Award and a special prize at Prix Europa. Cullen has also published three collections of original Estonian poetry. Originally from Minnesota, he has lived in Estonia since 2007.

Book details

Hardcover: $18
ISBN: 9781632061911
Publication date: Aug 4, 2020
6.75" x 9" • 40 pages
Children's Picture Book: Estonian / Friendship / Difference / Animals / Music • Ages 3 - 6
Territory: World English