Abstract

Meet Harry – a young boy who stutters. Harry invites readers to learn about what it is like to stutter from his perspective and how it affects his daily life and makes him feel. He talks about techniques that can help reduce stuttering and describes how friends, family and others can help him to feel at ease and reduce his stutter further.

This illustrated book is full of useful information and will be an ideal introduction for young people, aged 7 upwards, as well as parents, friends, teachers and speech therapists working with children who stutter. It is also an excellent starting point for group discussions at home or school.

“Can I tell you about Stuttering?” is a very insightful look into stuttering from a child's prospective. It is very informative and accurately reflects the feelings of a someone who stutters. It is very important that people who don't stutter understand how difficult life can be for those who do. Yet, even though stuttering is an often debilitating condition, this book tells other stutterers not to give up, that there is hope out there and with hard work and belief the battle against stuttering can be won. Besides, even with a stutter, we all have many, many qualities of which we should be very proud. It just really helps if other people understand and this book will definitely help with that.
Kevin Phelps, former stutterer, Headteacher, Tavernspite County Primary School, Wales
As someone who struggled with a stutter through childhood, I had an instant connection with this book. I could hugely relate to Harry's mindset, the frustrations he went through and the emotions that he felt. Feeling trapped and lonely can lead to someone who stutters becoming extremely isolated but this book will help people who stutter realise that they are not alone and that there are techniques out there to give them hope, help reduce the fear and gain control of the stutter. This informative read will also help increase an understanding and awareness of stuttering.
Matt Wilton, Regional Director UK South, The McGuire Programme
What a lovely read. “Can I tell you about Stuttering?” is a wonderfully thoughtful book with an accurate account of what stuttering feels like for many children. It would be so useful to children of all ages, especially to those who do not know anyone else who stutters. I have met numerous children, from all kinds of backgrounds, who feel isolated by their stutters. Harry just might help them to see that others feel as they do and that they are not just a child who stutters.
Alison Holloway, Speech and Language Therapist specialising in disorders of fluency
Sue Cottrell worked as a teacher before becoming an education consultant for schools, local authorities and the Welsh government, for whom she authors educational material. She has a teenage son who has stuttered since the age of 6 and she has researched stuttering extensively. Sue has attended several McGuire courses and fortnightly support group meetings for people who stutter and their families. She lives in Newport, Wales. Sophie Khan is an established Theatre Designer and Artist. Her work has toured the U.K. Her illustrations have been used in programmes and advertising.