RATING: 🟢 Recommended
REVIEWER: Jacklyn Ogden
REVIEW METHODOLOGY: Louise Derman-Spark's Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children's Books
“All these people around me, diverse and unique, I hear them all,
but they do not hear me. I do not speak.”
A Day With No Words by Tiffany Hammond is inspired by the author’s own life as an autistic mother of two autistic boys and follows a Black autistic boy’s daily life written from his own perspective. The first-person language strengthens the voice of the protagonist by showing how autism is fully a part of him, not just something he has to live with. Because of Hammond’s familiarity with autism in both adults and children, her writing brings appreciation and awareness to people living with autism. The story shares Aidan’s experiences with being nonverbal, having sound sensory sensitivity, and using a tablet as an accommodation.
In an important part of the story, Aidan and his mom visit a park, and a woman negatively uses the word “handicapped” towards Aidan. His mother, who gets angry, uses a breathing technique to calm down. Then, instead of speaking, she uses Aiden’s tablet to respond to the ignorant person, modeling how Aidan can use his tablet to advocate for himself when the time comes. This event shows children that adults also use healthy coping mechanisms like breathing techniques and accommodations!
The story ends with an Author’s Note explaining the importance of understanding the “challenges as a nonspeaking individual in a world that prioritizes speech.” Hammond calls readers of A Day With No Words to be advocates and supporters for “those like Aidan,” and suggests those to have their own day with no words!
I recommend A Day With No Words for everyone because it directly shares and explains an autistic boy’s experience, explores accommodations, has beautiful and compelling illustrations that visualize emotions and highlights nonverbal communication!
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
REVIEWER BIO: Jacklyn Ogden is a senior at Portland State University completing an English degree. She has a passion for children’s literature and how it will affect current and future youth.
CURRICULUM FOR A DAY WITH NO WORDS
Are you looking for discussion questions and resources to accompany this book? Try our social-justice focused curriculum!
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