TV, radio, traffic, telephones, pagers - our minds are bombarded daily by constant noise and clutter. No wonder so many people find it increasingly difficult to listen and comprehend. Simple pieces of information such as names go "in one ear and out the other." Poor listening may have tragic consequences such as the Challenger disaster and the Potomac River crash of 1982, or it can result in smaller tragedies such as lost promotions, stalled marriages,...

Nancy's failureto pay attention gets her into trouble when she bakes cupcakes for the school bake sale..

Stephanie Michelle, who cares for animals and listens to the sun, believes the homeless child, Fondo, when he tells her that the geese have invited him to fly away with them.

"Wordy Birdy loves to talk, but will she ever learn to listen?"--

Simple text encourages the reader to be silent and listen for sounds often not heard, such as the wind playing with a kite, or the chattering of trees.

"When Taylor's block castle is destroyed, all the animals think they know just what to do, but only the rabbit quietly listens to how Taylor is feeling"--

""We're taught to lead the conversation. On social media, we shape our personal narratives. At parties, we talk over one another. So do our politicians. We're not listening. And no one is listening to us. Despite living in a world where technology allows constant digital communication and opportunities to connect, it seems no one is really listening or even knows how. And it's making us lonelier, more isolated, and less tolerant than ever before....

Good listening skills help make communicating with others a better experience. Being quiet when another person is talking allows them to pass on information more easily. It implies that the listener respects the speaker. Nodding and smiling when someone speaks can help them know they are being listened to, as well.

Lacey Walker talks constantly, but when she loses her voice one day she learns that being quiet and listening can be good too