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When loud sounds feel too big

A short cartoon about a loud sound and a quiet place, with your child as the hero. Watch it together on a calm day, then talk.

Try a story beginning

An example story beginning for this moment. It is not a cartoon of your own story.

Cartoons are made with AI. You preview each one before your child sees it. Automatic checks can miss things.

Illustration, made with AI: a small boy sits on a bench by a sunny window with his hands on his ears, his mum quietly beside him, and a glowing firefly sitting still on the windowsill.
Illustration, made with AI

Let's imagine

Example, made with AI

Leo (3) is in a shop toilet with Mum. The hand dryer roars. Leo covers his ears. "That was loud," says Mum. "Let's find somewhere quiet." They step out to a bench by the window. Leo keeps his hands on his ears. Mum sits beside him and waits. After a while, his hands come down. "Can we go another way?" he asks. "Yes," says Mum. They do.

The characters in this example are made up. Your child can be the hero, with or without a photo.

What happens in the story

In the example above:

  • A sudden noise is very loud for Leo, and he covers his ears.
  • Mum says plainly that it was loud, and she moves with him to a quiet place.
  • She waits. Leo's hands come down when he is ready.
  • Leo asks to go another way, and in this example Mum says yes.
Try a story beginning

Talk-after card

Here are three gentle questions to talk about after this example. Best watched together, then followed by a chat or a game.

  1. What happened when the dryer got loud?
  2. What did Mum do? Where did they go?
  3. When a sound is too loud, would you like to cover your ears, move away, or hold my hand? You choose.

Use the ones that feel right. Skip any you like.

What a cartoon can and can't do

  • Zubby isn't for the middle of a loud moment. Watch together on a calm day.
  • Fears are common. If fear keeps stopping your child from sleeping or doing everyday things, talk to your child's doctor.
  • A cartoon can't make a place quieter. It gives you something to talk about when the day is calm.
  • Every family has its own pace.
  • Each Zubby cartoon is made to be talked about together. It can't do the work of routine, patience or your child's doctor.
  • If you are worried about your child's sleep, eating, fears or behaviour, talk to your child's doctor, nurse or teacher.