The Boy Who Found His Voice

May 27, 2024
Tyler, portrayed with brown skin and an Afro, has “trouble with words. Long words. Short words. Silly words. All words.... just kept getting... STUCK!” In his thoughts, he knows “exactly what to say and how to say it,” including “the real reason why that chicken crossed the road.” In his day-to-day, though, “his tongue got tied,” leaving him “frustrated... and frazzled....” His mother advises, “Breathe in.... Breathe out.... Let go of all your doubt. You can.... You will.... You’re able!” a mantra that, along with practice, bolsters the young artist through a show-and-tell session he’s been dreading: sharing a self-portrait. Drawing, per an author’s note, from teen activist and artist Gordon’s experiences with stuttering, this uplifting work employs humor, rhythmic text, and lively digital illustrations as it moves toward a longed-for moment in which “the crowd went WILD” for the young protagonist. Ages 4–8.

Starred review from July 1, 2024

PreS-Gr 2-Teen activist and artist Gordon proves his triple-threat prowess as writer, illustrator, and narrator of his picture book about his speech differences: "This book is dedicated to kids who get tongue-tied. Just know your words are worth the wait." Tyler can't get his words to "come out right." With his mother's help, he learns to "loudly, proudly" use his art and his voice to declare, "This is me." For the most fulfilling experience, a read-along is essential: to pick only print is to miss Gordon's vulnerable narration; to choose just aural means overlooking Gordon's imaginative, humorous art-including his self-portrait cover of his 2021 debut, We Can. Also not in audio (but should be) is Gordon's author's note in which he shares his deafness at birth, the surgery that returned his hearing but caused a stutter, and art as his best therapy. VERDICT Libraries need all formats to share with future artists, activists, and superstars.

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