The #ownvoices and #weneeddiversebooks movements have taken the literary world by storm in the past few years. So much so, that bookstores and online book outlets have entire sections dedicated to books representing the marginalised and underrepresented voices of the world. Needless to say, it’s a step in the right direction toward a more inclusive and empathetic society.
Books help foster respect for diversity and empathy for others. It’s no secret that representation in media helps marginalised people feel visible and illuminates cultures, disabilities and ways of life that might have been previously unfamiliar. Representation in books allow children to envision things for their own life that might have previously seemed impossible.
Positive Representation of Children who Stutter in Literature
Self-concept and self-esteem, which form the foundation for children’s social-emotional development, begin developing in infancy. Children’s self-concept begins to develop when they start to discover their identity through how people treat them and how they are represented. That’s why it is so important for children to see themselves represented in various types of media from a very young age, and one of the best ways for children to see themselves represented is through picture books.
Minorities are now getting more representation in books, particularly children’s books, but unfortunately, there is still a shortage of children’s books covering the topic of speech and language impairments. Because children typically develop speech and language impairments in early school years, it’s especially important these types of resources are available for young children in a format they’re familiar with.
In publishing our latest book, The Can’t Be Seen Who Couldn’t Squawk, our aim is to increase the representation of people who have speech and language impairments in children’s books.
About the Author, who has First-hand Experience with a Speech Impediment
Author, Professor Dale F. Williams, is Chair of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Florida Atlantic University, has authored an impressive selection of books covering the subject of stuttering and has a speech impairment himself. Prof Williams recognised the importance of teaching acceptance and self-acceptance to children at the age where they typically develop a speech and language impairment, and thus the idea for The Can’t-Be-Seen Who Couldn’t Squawk was born.
The Can’t Be Seen Who Couldn’t Squawk is a wonderfully immersive picture book for young readers (ages 2-8) and is accompanied by beautiful illustrations by Dr Susannah L. Brown.
The Can’t Be Seen Who Couldn’t Squawk Additional Information
If you would like to know more about the book, the upcoming book launch and the book’s creator’s, find out here
Or if you are outside of Australia, you can find more information on our partner site Hearsay Resources
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