Book Description
for More Than Words by Roz MacLean
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
This welcome, purposeful picture book identifies and honors the different ways that students in a particular elementary school classroom communicate. Nathan (Black) doesn’t say much but listens carefully. Nathan’s classmates display a range of other ways to communicate. Many of his peers use their voices, but some use specific kinds of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) to express themselves, such as an alphabet board, Brailler, and text-to-speech technology. Receptive communication is highlighted as well, including facial expressions, gestures, and other cues. Through the various communication styles explored, Nathan’s classmates can understand his offer of friendship and invitation to play in spite of his silence (possibly selective mutism). Warm, stylized illustrations portray an inclusive student group—race, ethnicity, religion, and disability are intentionally depicted. An overview of communication, AAC, access, and inclusion is included at the end. (Ages 4-7)
CCBC Choices 2024. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2024. Used with permission.