The Boy Who Found His Voice
by Tyler Gordon (Author) Tyler Gordon (Illustrator)
From teen activist and artistic prodigy Tyler Gordon comes a heartwarming picture book inspired by his own life about a boy with a speech difference who learns the power of self-expression through art.
There once was a young boy who had trouble with words. He paused and stuttered and stammered, which made school really tough. But with encouragement from his mom and a paintbrush in hand, he learns that finding your voice isn't about being perfect--it's about being true to yourself.
For fans of I Talk Like a River and Amanda Gorman, The Boy Who Found His Voice is a joyful and empowering testament to art, empathy, and having self-confidence even in the face of doubt.
Don't miss Tyler Gordon's bold picture book debut We Can: Portraits of Power.
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Gr 2-4--In this semi-autobiographical picture book, Gordon shares the story of Tyler, a boy who stutters. Tyler struggles with being tongue-tied at school, his tongue depicted as long and snarled. With show-and-tell coming up, Tyler becomes increasingly nervous and self-conscious of his speech impediment. Thanks to some help from his mom and his outlet as an artist, Tyler is able to illustrate how he is feeling for the class presentation. At the end, the hero of the story promotes another book written and illustrated by Gordon, the author. Gordon is a talented illustrator, especially when it comes to depicting key words. When Tyler's words are stuck, the word "STUCK" appears huge, bold, and in a tangled knot of lines like his tongue. His mother's soothing words are drawn with a calming green color. Tyler has brown skin and natural hair. Gordon shares his own story in an author's note at the end. VERDICT Collections of all sizes can welcome this book, which fosters empathy for those with speech challenges.--Chance Lee Joyner
Copyright 2024 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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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. (June)
Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
Kirkus
Energetic and encouraging.
Review quotes
Gordon's animated, endearing cartoon illustrations readily convey Tyler's apprehension, determination, and joy . . . Energetic and encouraging. —Kirkus Reviews
JUV003000 - Juvenile Fiction | Art & Architecture
JUV035000 - Juvenile Fiction | School & Education
JUV039150 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Special Needs
Picture books
Boys
Painting
Speech disorders
Expression (Philosophy)
