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Make Time to Stop and Listen
Maude’s Magical Ear Trumpet follows a kind, cheerful older woman who has begun to struggle with her hearing and is given a magical ear trumpet that not only lets her hear words better, but also the truth behind them. What first sparked the idea for your story?
I had the idea of writing a poem around an older lady and her relationship with the people around her. It was formed from memories of spending time with my grandmother when I was a child, and how she loved to talk – and listen – with her friends
Was empathy something you consciously set out to teach, or did it naturally grow out of the story?
I didn’t initially set out to write it as a children’s picture book; the story just revealed itself organically. I did want to include the idea that in a world of quick communications and throw-away conversations, there should always be time to stop and listen. Then, once you have heard, if you can help in any way, then you should. Sometimes, just a kind ear is all that is needed.
Why was it important for Maude’s Magical Ear Trumpet to be dyslexia friendly, and how did that goal influence your choices around language, sentence structure, and pacing?
I wanted the story to be inclusive of age, heritage, and disability. I wanted it to encompass all aspects of normal life. Part of that was to ensure that ALL children – and indeed adults – were able to read and enjoy the book. Making the text dyslexia friendly was just one way of doing this. The choice of language and structure was influenced by the story. I wanted it to flow in a way that was easy to read and follow, but with some challenging areas to push a child’s reading skills. Adding the odd word that makes the child ask, “What does that mean?” allows the act of reading to become collaborative.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
I am not currently working on another book, but hope to do a series of follow-up books incorporating Maude and her interactions with he friends and family.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Maude learns, with the encouragement of her friends, that she has the ability to help others with her kind and positive personality.
We all have magical powers, the ability to give the people around us that most precious of gifts – time. Time to listen, time to share and time to care.
Next time you meet someone, don’t hurry away. Stop and speak. Say hello, ask how they are and, most importantly, listen to their answer. Try to leave them with a smile on their face, as that might just make a difference to their day – and yours too!
“Maude’s Magical Ear Trumpet” is a Dyslexia friendly picture book, with text designed to help readers enjoy stories on their own or with a friend.
Maude’s Magical Ear Trumpet
Maude’s Magical Ear Trumpet by Chris Husband is a whimsical, deeply heartwarming children’s book. It offers a gentle reminder: listening can change everything. The story introduces Maude, a kind, cheerful older woman who has begun to struggle with her hearing. Her doctor provides a most unusual ear trumpet. Maude quickly learns it is no ordinary device. A magical twist transforms it into something extraordinary. The trumpet lets her hear more than words. It reveals the truth beneath them.
What follows is a tender, uplifting journey. Maude uses her new trumpet to truly listen to the people around her. She offers comfort. She gives kindness. She makes space for understanding wherever she goes.
The book’s strength is its simplicity and warmth. Short, easy-to-follow sentences keep the pace light and inviting. The language feels almost poetic. The gentle rhythm draws young readers in and helps the message land naturally. Through Maude’s encounters with her daughter, shopkeepers, friends, and neighbors, children see that listening is more than sound. It is attention. It is care. It is empathy in action.
The illustrations by Corryn Webb add another layer of charm. Each page features soft, expressive artwork that brings Maude’s world to life. Her bright coat. Her spotted hat. The quiet emotional exchanges that unfold in small, meaningful moments. The visuals support the tone beautifully and guide young readers toward what characters feel, not only what they say. That reinforcement matters. Emotions deserve notice.
One of the book’s most memorable elements is the closing revelation. The magic was never truly in the trumpet. It lived in Maude herself. Her caring heart. Her willingness to listen with intention. That message lingered with me long after the final page.
This is a lovely read that children are likely to adore. Maude’s Magical Ear Trumpet teaches empathy, compassion, and the quiet power of listening in a way that feels magical and deeply human. It leaves young readers calmer, kinder, and a little more inclined to listen closely to the world around them.
Pages: 34 | ASIN : B0G6GLLJ3Z
