When Oliver Speaks

I can't imagine how much a book like this would mean to a student working through speech issues. It's very honest and matter-of-fact about both speaking difficulties and the anxiety that can accompany them. The story did resolve quickly and easily, but as long as an adult reading partner explains that it's OK if a student sometimes still feels scared, insecure, or frustrated even if they're making progress, this would be a fine resource.

My favorite part was that Oliver is presented as just another kid who likes sports and sometimes fights with his siblings and just happens to have a stutter. It's simply one of the many things about him. I think that's a message that will go a long way to creating empathy and helping kids realize that lots of us have things about us that are different and it's really no big deal.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

Wonderful little children book about a kid who shutters and how he try to learn how to accept it. Very well done and very touching!

This was adorable! This is something I would 100% make my nephews listen to while I read it to them and ironically it worked! Which is why I’m thoroughly excited to keep checking on what else this author has in store. I loved it!

Very cute book. Seems like a small thing but I don’t recall ever seeing a POC illustrated in any of my childhood books so that is really nice to see. Love that it brings attention to children with invisible disabilities. Only thing I didn’t like was page 8, as I think the full definition of a stutter used there is unnecessary for children in this age group and doesn’t fit with the tone of the rest of the book. Other than that, very cute and well written, reminding children that they are made up of so much more that just one thing that they don’t like about themselves.

This was a really cute and well done book. The illustrations were fantastic and engaging, while the story itself was something that I think kids need to read. It is for those who have a stutter to feel seen, and for those without to understand the fear that can come with a stutter. Loved it.

Very empowering children's book with creative illustrations and facial expressions! I enjoyed the comparison of a stutter to other traits to help him accept it and know that will be able to help children accept all kinds of traits that have that may be different.

What a cute book! I think this is an awesome book for any kid that stutters to beheld with their confidence. And also any other kid to learn that stuttering isn’t a big deal and no reason to make fun of someone or be mean to them because they’re different.

The illustrations in this book are fabulous. I love the many faces Oliver has throughout the book, it made me smile!

This is a great picture book to discuss different abilities and inclusivity and self-acceptance. I enjoyed the illustrations which were very expressive and colorful - with a pastel color palette that spoke to me. Children with stutters can learn to accept their differences, Children without stutters can learn to see from a different perspective and Parents can learn how important it is to listen to their child and help them feel prepared and encourage their self-love. The only gripe is that I didn't feel a tug to my heart at any point, it's a very matter-of-fact type of storytelling. Nothing wrong with it, just would have preferred a more lyrical/emotional tale.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4229967263

Meet Oliver, he's seven years old and is like most seven year olds. He likes to read and play sports. He has siblings and they don't always get along. But Oliver stutters and is very self conscience about it. He is suppose to stand up in front of his class and give an All About Me report. He has managed to put it off but his teacher told him he couldn't put it off any longer. He goes home and he isn't happy. His mother knows about the report and asks him about it. He doesn't want to talk in front of his classmates because he stutters. Mom gives him a pep talk and helps him practice his report so he will be prepared. The next day when his teacher called on him he didn't try to skip out on the report because he was prepared.

This book is so CUTEEEEEE. A great self-worth discovery and acceptance for young readers. I love the expressions and beautiful illustrations which surely will attract young readers to read this book 💖

Although I don't stutter, I totally can relate with the self-consciousness to speak in front of people. This book really gives a great impression to me. I'm glad that I read this book. Totally a great book for everyone, especially children.

When Oliver Speaks is a beautiful picture book about a seven year old boy who has a stutter. When his teacher asks him to give a presentation, Oliver runs away and hides to avoid speaking in front of his class. But a conversation with his mother about his stutter gives him a new perspective and he finds the courage to give the presentation.

This is a fantastic picture book to read with children who have a stutter, or simply to explain to a child what it means and feels like to have a stutter or speech impediment. Oliver is first presented as a seven year old boy who loves basketball and reading, which I think allows the reader to relate to Oliver and consider his stutter as only a small part of him in addition to his personality and hobbies.

The conversation that Oliver has with his mum, where she encourages him to give the presentation, demonstrates a great way to think about speech impediments and how they impact a person. I think this scene will be particularly poignant and helpful for children who have a stutter and offers a great opportunity for them to discuss what having a stutter means for them with an adult. Personally, I would have liked to see Oliver come to his own conclusions about his stutter and giving the presentation, rather than simply accept what his mum told him, but I think it's a good message all the same.

This book is most suitable for a parent or teacher to read alongside a child so that there are opportunities for the child to engage in discussion and ask questions. I think this story would be a fantastic choice for children with a speech impediment, or who know someone with a speech impediment.

This book is wonderful for helping kids accept their stutter and to explain to others what someone may be experiencing if they have a stutter. Great for teaching acceptance and empathy!

This was so so cute I loved it. I read it to my nephews and they loved it just as much. This was really perfect for me I had lots of fun with my little nephews just as much as I did!

A sweet book about overcoming stuttering! This is important for all kids to understand what stuttering is

This true story has an inspiring and positive message. It assures you that you can do anything you put your mind to. It doesn't matter if you are different from others ... ... ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE FOR YOU!

Oliver is a little boy that excels in most things he indulges in. The one thing that challenges him most is that he doesn't enjoy speaking because he stutters. "Stuttering is a disruption in the product of speech sounds; also called "disfluencies".

His class is expected to present an "All About Me" project and Oliver is full of worry and anxiety to present because of his speaking disability. He has so far gotten out of it by going to the bathroom just as his teacher Mrs. Bakersfield is about to call his name and another time when he feigns stomach pains and escapes to visit the school nurse.

His teacher notifies Oliver's mother asking if he is alright as he is spending a lot of time in the bathroom and in the nurse's office. Olive shares his feelings of anxiety and doubt to his mother and together they work out a plan that not only enables Oliver to proudly stand up and do his presentation but also accept that his disability is part of who he is. Oliver learns to bravely accept himself without shame or embarrassment. This heartwarming book with its wonderful illustrations would be a lovely classroom addition and also earns a spot on a school library shelf. I highly recommend this book.

I loved this book! Thank you NetGalley for this early ARC to review. Oliver really spoke to me in his book, and it showed those who read it the importance of accepting those around us for who they are, and to love ourselves as we are. My son was born with a cleft lip and cleft palate, and I love finding books that help teach kids who to be confident in themselves and how to teach others to be kind. I would buy this book for my shelf at home and classroom for kids to read.

This is an excellent book with a clear message. Every child with a stutter would love reading this, knowing that they are not lonely and there are other children just like them. Lovely!

This book is very sweet with an important message for children who stutter and those around them. I remember all too well my school years where children were ruthlessly bullied and mocked for being different. I have never had a stutter, but I can only imagine how much worse my being bullied would have been had I had one. Children can be downright cruel.

I loved the color palette for this book, gentle colors, important message that wasn't told in a preachy way and a sweet ending that made me tear up a tad.

Definitely a book I recommend for children of the age for picture books who have a stutter or who have someone in their social circle who does.

4, shining sweet, stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and Indigo River Publishing for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.

I requested a copy of this book from NetGalley because of the fact that I work with many speech therapists and thought this might be a book to add to their arsenal of tools when working with children. The only requirement for me was to read and offer an honest review.

I am definitely sharing this book with my SLP friends and will suggest it for parents who may have children with a stutter. It’s a great book to build self-esteem. This could be a good foundation for many books about visible differences that children are dealing with - ie, birthmarks or alopecia.

A lovely story for children to learn to love who they are and that they can do anything if they are brave enough. Oliver isn't perfect, but that doesn't make him a bad boy; he's cute and energetic and brave!

A great story about a young boy who is scared to give an "All About Me" presentation to his class because of his stutter, but in the end embraces his stutter as a part of who he is. The illustrations are lovely and pair so well with the touching story.

This book, in addition to some very cute illustrations, addresses an important topic, the stutter. Oliver is a stuttering boy, and on the day he has to present a work to the class, he is scared until his mother makes him see that the stutterer is part of him.
It was a pleasant surprise!

The fabulous artwork, the representation, and the message should bring 'When Oliver Speaks' to the hands of many children. I do wish the prose was more 'show' instead of all 'tell' but kids and adults will equally love this little picture book.

I stutter
Great to see a child be a child and be who they are, I have a 6 year old that stutters a bit, and worry a bit that it might hold her back, this is a good child's book to show her that this is me be proud you are you

books succeed.
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My daughter and I enjoyed reading this book and found that it gave a clear, effective message about accepting differences in ourselves and others. It opened up interesting discussions about avoidance and masking emotions. We found the font a little tricky to read in places.

I thought this book was incredibly creative and inspiring! The illustrations were unique and really helped visualize the story. The content was easy to read and on a level that all children could understand. The message about Oliver’s anxiety and fear around public speaking due to his stutter was one that many children can relate to. His ability to accept and love his unique trait was very empowering!

I found this book absolutely delightful and appreciate that the author wrote it with her son!