You Don’t Have to Be Loud

A shy kid’s guide to thriving in their own (quiet) way.

Do you sometimes feel afraid of talking in front of people, making a mistake or saying the wrong thing? While everywhere else you look there are loud, confident people?

You’re not alone. Ben Brooks also grew up as a shy child (so much so that he’d rather have cut his own hair or spend a week at a Silent Retreat then have to speak to other people). But he soon realised that being quiet doesn’t make you strange or wrong or boring. In fact, being shy can give you great skills such as listening, kindness and compassion. It’s something to embrace and be proud of.

In this book, Ben introduces readers to some of the most famous, talented and brilliant shy people – including Charles Darwin, David Bowie, Greta Thunberg, Rosa Parks, Beyonce and Emma Watson – who used their special quietness to achieve awesome things, and he shares his tips for growing up shy in a world that can sometimes feel, well, LOUD.

Because you don’t have to be loud to be liked, and you definitely don’t have to be loud to make an impact.