When the Stammer Came to Stay
The powerful new picture book from the bestselling and award-winning author of Hamnet
Maggie O'Farrell author Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini illustrator
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Walker Books Ltd
Published:21st Nov '24
Should be back in stock very soon
From Maggie O'Farrell, the multi award-winning author of Hamnet, and the stunning imagination of Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini, comes a hopeful and powerful new book, based on Maggie's own experience on living with a stammer.
Sisters Bea and Min couldn't be any more different – Bea is neat and tidy; Min is messy and mucky. Together, they are a perfect pair because Min loves to chat and Bea loves to listen. And in their happy differences, they share the attic room at the top of their very tall, narrow house. Then, one day, as Min is chatting, her tongue feels suddenly locked. The words forming in her mouth never make it out. Some days later, still struggling to speak, she sees the most extraordinary thing at her shoulder in a mirror ... a creature, a thing, seizing the words as they rise to her lips, and cramming them into its mouth. Min continues to struggle with her stammer – how can she truly be herself, when she cannot do what she loves most: chat! Bea is the only one who truly sees, and understands, her. Together, they go on a journey of discovery – what IS this creature? – and they find not quite a solution, but a way to make peace with themselves and to love and embrace what makes each of them different.
beautifully illustrated tale * The Sun *
An uplifting story drawn from Maggie O’Farrell’s own experience of stammering. * Sainsbury’s Magazine *
[Maggie O’Farrell] brilliantly captures Min’s confusion as words become a daily battle […] the story’s mix of cosy domesticity and gentle suspense will find much wider appeal […] the result is a touching, beautifully written story which will resonate with readers well beyond its target age group of five-plus. * The Telegraph *
Although stammering is the central theme, the strong storyline together with the vivid characters and the exquisite illustrations by Daniela JaglenkaTerrazzini create a beautiful children's story in its own right which does not feel contrived. […] the book is well placed to educate and support […] When the Stammer Came to Stay is a book about stammering, but it is also a book about love, kindness and sensitivity. […] It is one of those rare books that leaves a warm feeling, and for some it might just go a little further and leave a better understanding of stammering, and an idea of how to achieve a positive outlook in life. * STAMMA British Stammering Association *
This heartwarming book – with gorgeous illustrations by Daniela JaglenkaTerrazzini that bring to mind the classic drawings by Shirley Hughes – ends on a positive message for young children: about looking for the good that happens in your life without you noticing. * The Independent, Books of the Month *
ISBN: 9781529504286
Dimensions: 257mm x 220mm x 12mm
Weight: 580g
72 pages