We love using storybooks as a way to explore children’s thoughts and feelings about stuttering. Not only are storybooks wonderful for developing language and literacy skills, but they also help children connect to their own experiences and serve as a natural way to facilitate sharing. Here are a few of our favorite books about stuttering for kids.
Written By: Laurie Lears
Illustrated by: Karen Ritz
This inspiring story follows Ben, who is hesitant to speak because he stutters. When Ben finally summons the courage to speak up, he discovers that what he has to say is more important than how he says it. Ben Has Something to Say also includes helpful information and resources for parents and teachers of children who stutter. Share this book with school-aged children for a meaningful reading experience.
Check it out at your local library or buy it on Amazon.
Written & Illustrated by: Jack Hughes
Children who stutter are likely to encounter people who interrupt them rather than allowing them to finish what they are saying. In this book, Steggie the dinosaur's friends learn the value of letting their friend finish her sentences. Young readers will easily connect to the straightforward story and enjoy this book's delightful illustrations.
Find it at your local library or order on Amazon.
Written & Illustrated by: Brit Kohls
Many children feel nervous on the first day of school, and Wendi the witch is not exception. Wendi avoids speaking at Magic School, until she befriends Peter the Troll, who encourages her to use her magical abilities despite her stuttering. This book celebrates the differences that make each child unique. Children will love the enchanting characters and charming illustrations.
Order from The Stuttering Foundation.
Written by: Artie Knapp
Illustrations by: Barbara Gibson
In this book, we follow Stan the squirrel as he faces bullies who tease him and his stuttering. Stan is afraid to confront his bullies until he makes a new friend who helps him to understand that he is not the only one with insecurities. When Stan finally stands up for himself, this new understanding allows him to choose kindness and bring all of his peers together. This engaging story encourages children to work towards effective problem solving when dealing with bullying and teasing.
Check it out at your local library, order on Amazon, or use Kindle Unlimited.
Written by: Kimberly Garvin & Saadiq Wicks
Thanks to some of our friends on social media, we re-published this list with the addition of this book. When Oliver Speaks! is an inspiring story of a boy with many talents and interests who also happens to stutter. He doesn't want to give a class presentation, and puts it off until the last day.
He works with his mother to embrace his stutter and tackle the assignment head-on. We love the use of illustrations and well-placed bolded text that truly add to the story. Need another reason to love this book? Saadiq Wicks, one of the authors, is a person who stutters and wrote this book at age 13!
Check it out at your local library, or order on Amazon.
Written by: Sean George
Illustrations by: Cameron Wilson
In January 2020, we re-published this list again with the addition of this book. Our list is now beyond the "five great books" mentioned in the title, and we hope the list continues to grow! The author's purpose in this book is to describe many of the types of bias, stereotyping, and misconceptions that teens who stutter face every day. The story also features a mother who encourages her son to focus less on what others think of him and more on what he sees in his future.
This book can be purchased on Amazon.
--The American Institute for Stuttering is a leading non-profit organization whose primary mission is to provide universally affordable, state-of-the-art speech therapy to people of all ages who stutter, guidance to their families, and much-needed clinical training to speech professionals wishing to gain expertise in stuttering. Offices are located in New York, NY and Atlanta, GA, and services are also available Online. Our mission extends to advancing public and scholarly understanding of this often misunderstood disorder.
