Tayra's Not Talking

May 1, 2022
Sometimes actions speak louder than words. It's tough to be the new kid. It's especially tough for Tayra, because Tayra doesn't talk. She won't make a single sound: not when her classmates try talking to her louder or even when the teacher asks her questions. The other kids find this silence strange; classmate Kitty wonders if Tayra's "stubborn" or "rude" or "just...in some / I'm-not-talking mood," and an accident leads some kids to wonder if, just maybe, she's "bad." But a little patience and understanding go a long way, and together the class learns that talking isn't the only way to make friends. This story, told in playful rhyme, is a deceptively simple exploration of making friends, something many children struggle with, whether they can speak or not. The story never explains why Tayra doesn't speak, but that why is less integral to the plot's development than the process of resolving misunderstandings, learning to communicate effectively with others, and creating an inclusive environment in which differences are respected and accommodated. The use of alternative modes of communication (e.g., gestures, drawings, music) plays out in a child-friendly manner that never feels patronizing. Expressive anthropomorphic animals, hand-drawn and digitally rendered, create a dynamic and warm visual landscape; readers will root for the class as much as for Tayra as they collectively navigate their new friendship. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Sweet without being sententious. (Picture book. 3-7)

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Starred review from August 1, 2022

PreS-K-It is Tayra's first day at a new school; she is feeling nervous, and to make matters worse, she is unable to express herself. The other students are not sure what to make of Tayra and her silence, and they frequently jump to negative conclusions as the morning goes by. Thanks to a patient teacher who offers alternative outlets for her feelings, Tayra is finally able to communicate with her classmates. Each new revelation allows the students to come to a greater sense of understanding and friendship with one another. Part of the "Kitty and Friends" series, this book uses familiar characters and themes to connect with one of the more challenging realities of childhood: bullying. Because Tayra is different from her classmates, they initially choose to ostracize her instead of digging deeper into who she really is. Through rhyming lines and a singsong rhythm, young children will immediately connect with the story as it is read aloud to them. Simultaneously, the text models positive and encouraging behavior that children will be able to easily emulate after the story ends. Collage-style illustrations are filled with color and familiar moments from preschool and kindergarten classrooms, enhancing the connection readers will feel with Tayra and her friends despite the fact that they are animals participating in human behaviors. VERDICT This charming story is an excellent addition to preschool and kindergarten classroom collections that focus on social-emotional learning.-Mary R. Lanni

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