I Talk Like a River

I wake up in the morning
           with the sound of words
all around me

Jordan Scott’s autobiographical picture book, I Talk Like a River, is a deeply empathetic story of a young boy’s journey toward self-acceptance and compassion as he navigates the experience of being bullied for his stutter. Scott’s spare, haunting text is augmented by dreamlike, watery illustrations by Sydney Smith, which perfectly capture the fluid nature of the narrator’s speech patterns. I Talk Like a River doesn’t shy away from showing the difficulties the narrator is experiencing, while also modeling his strategies for resilience: connection with nature, a loving and supportive parental relationship, and ultimately, the reframing of his own thoughts about himself, which all grant him a newfound confidence. Readers of all ages looking to offer themselves kindness will find a gentle resting place in this wise and generous text.