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Tayra's Not Talking

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There’s a new kid in the kindergarten class, but she won’t say a word! But … does it really matter? This sweet story has a timely there are many ways to make — and be — a friend! The students in Miss Seabrooke’s kindergarten class don’t understand why the new student won’t respond when they talk to her. Speaking LOUDER doesn’t help. Tayra doesn’t even answer the teacher! Should they just leave her be? Maybe, Kitty decides, she can show Tayra things instead of telling her. Happily, it works! Soon the pair find they can communicate with gestures, dancing, drawings and smiles. And when the others see how much fun they’re having, they join in, too! It seems words aren’t the only way to connect and be friends! In this charming picture book, Lana Button uses playful, cadenced rhyming text to explore the art of making a friend. This story sensitively captures a kindergartener’s fears and uncertainties, especially around being new and “different” and models compassion, acceptance and friendship as a reassuring way for others to respond. Christine Battuz’s expressive illustrations clearly convey the friends’ emotions as they process this new experience and try to decide what to do about it. This book is a perfect springboard for discussions about feelings, friendship, differences and belonging. It’s a strong choice for character education lessons on kindness, empathy, inclusiveness and caring.

32 pages, Hardcover

Published June 7, 2022

25 people want to read

About the author

Lana Button

25 books32 followers
Lana Button is an award-winning children's author of several picture books as well as a presenter and early childhood educator. The New York Times describes Lana's book TOUGH LIKE MUM (Tundra, 2021) as a "tender tale that imparts that asking for help shows toughness too." Kirkus says the book is "powerful in its vulnerability."
Lana's super fun read-aloud THE COW SAID BOO! (Pajama Press, 2021) is described by Kirkus as "an infectious seasonal read-aloud."
Her first book, WILLOW'S WHISPERS (Kids Can Press, 2010) was described by Kirkus as "A victory for any reader who struggles to be heard, even metaphorically"
Lana strives to support, inspire and entertain her young readers. The Globe and Mail said, "It's easy to forget that my kids think their problems are as massive as I think my own are. Button never does. To her enormous credit, she's written a book that speaks directly to their experience."
When Lana isn't writing for young children, she can often be found presenting messages of empathy, resilience and understanding to children through virtual and in-person author visits. She believes that now, more than ever, we can all use a little more story time!

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5 stars
27 (28%)
4 stars
44 (46%)
3 stars
21 (22%)
2 stars
1 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Chantel.
506 reviews363 followers
August 6, 2022
With beautiful illustrations done by Christine Battuz, Lana Button introduces Tayra, a new student trying to make her way in the world that has become comfortably familiar to her classmates. She is misunderstood & the other children around her are quick to accuse her of being less than kind when she doesn’t behave in the ways in which they were taught.

What is most important to take away from this story is its ability to nuzzle itself into a variety of situations. Though this particular story takes place in the classroom, in an elementary school setting; meeting someone new who approaches life in a different way than you are, not uncommon generally. Whether we meet someone who giggles at the wrong time or whose facial expressions translate to something we might not have been accustomed to seeing in a particular setting or if its as simple as coming across someone who is experiencing something new, for the very first time; we all benefit from the patience & kindness that Tayra’s surroundings bestow upon her.

This book opens the discussion for younger audiences to explore how certain behaviours might be recognized as common or ‘appropriate’, based on their upbringing, culture & environment but that people lead lives that differ from theirs & should they meet someone who, at face value, might seem to be in the wrong, it is beneficial for all to always act in kindness.

As we grow in this life we come to understand that neurology plays a greater role in our behaviours than what we might have been able to absorb or appreciate as children. Many people simply view reality through a different lens. Perhaps, Tayra isn’t just shy, perhaps she struggles with finding the ‘right’ words. Or, perhaps she is shy & only speaks when she really has something of great importance to say. That is the value of this short story. We are able to walk through the pages perhaps taking something different from each perspective. I think it’s important to sit with ourselves & understand our ways of approaching life, social interactions & what our reactions are to a variety of situations. By so doing we might be in a better state to sit with someone who is different than us, in whatever way, & be more able to hear what they are trying to say, even if they do not use words to communicate it with us.

My only qualm with this story was that the introduction felt as though there could have been an additional 1–2 pages that saw Tayra making her way into the schoolyard or illustrations of the other classmates noticing someone new. We jump into the storyline rather quickly & I felt as though something was missing. Otherwise, it’s a beautiful way of reminding us that different does not equate to bad just as familiar does not equate to good; behaviours are complex & revelatory should we have it in ourselves to be patient.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kids Can Press & Lana Button for the free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Natalie  all_books_great_and_small .
3,211 reviews180 followers
March 12, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Tayras Not Talking is a sweet, rhyming picture book for children about feeling different and starting a new school.
Tayra has started a new school, and the other children are unsure about her because she doesn't talk to them when they speak to her or even to her teacher.
The children learn there are other ways to communicate other than talking, such as gestures, expressions, drawings, and with our hands. They also learn to use compassion and think about how they would feel if they were new and didn't know anyone or know where anything was. This is such a lovely book and ideal for any child starting school, moving to a new school or who is very shy or has a new classmate. I'm so glad books like this exist innthe world today.
Profile Image for Reading_ Tamishly.
5,325 reviews3,537 followers
February 17, 2022
Thank you, Kids Can Press, for the advance reading copy.

The story is about a young bear who doesn't talk much in school. Everyone is worried about her.

But with time they get to know her and understand her better and accept her as she is.

I find this idea beautiful. Not every kid wants to talk all the time. They need to take their own time to adjust and get used to a new surrounding.

I find the illustration simple and easy to the eyes.
Profile Image for Carla.
7,769 reviews178 followers
September 20, 2022
Tayra is starting school and she is extremely shy. She doesn't talk to anyone, but wants to fit in. Originally the children thought she was being mean and ignoring them, but it doesn't take long for the other children to learn that there are other ways to communicate besides talking, such as gestures, expressions, drawings, and with our hands. They make Tayra feel welcome and they are all friends. This story teaches children about emotions, compassion, friendship and belonging. The story is told in rhyme and had a great cadence to read. My grandchildren kept wanting to know why Tayra wouldn't talk, and it wasn't really told in the story, so I just said she was afraid and shy. Children want to know why, which is normal at that age. Everyone has different reactions to strange situations and nervousness, so we talked a little about that. This is a good story to open those discussions, and would be good to use in a classroom.
Profile Image for Jeanie.
3,093 reviews1 follower
February 18, 2022
Starting a new class at school can have different emotions. Classmates can be excited about making a new friend however, when Tayra has her first day, she is very quiet. Her classmates ask her many questions, but Tayra is not saying a word. The teacher helps Tayra and her classmates see a new perspective and Tayra is able to express her emotions in a safe way.

Tayra may be your young student or maybe the other classmates. Exuberant and loud. Tayra's helps others see that we may be different in how we express and help each other feel safe. The illustrations and characters bring out a needed advocate for those that are shy! Highly recommend.

A special thank you to Kid's Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.
Profile Image for MookNana.
847 reviews7 followers
June 10, 2022
There's a new student at school today--but why doesn't she talk? Tayra is non-verbal and at first the other kids are confused and suspicious. But, with some encouragement from the teacher, they learn to empathize and look for new ways to connect.

This is so, so sweet and uplifting! The students' reaction to Tayra is nicely balanced. They don't understand and begin to assume the worst, but are easily coached to being kind, accepting, and inclusive. The book doesn't bother with explaining exactly why Tayra doesn't talk, which is great because the point is accepting people as they are and for what they CAN do. And Tayra has lots to share. This would be a wonderful addition to preschool and elementary school and classroom libraries and I can't wait to read it in class!

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!
Profile Image for Storytime With Stephanie.
350 reviews10 followers
August 31, 2022
With the third book in the charming Kitty and Friends series, Lana Button explores how scary a new place can be and how we should all demonstrate compassion and patience as we learn to navigate new surroundings. Tayra’s Not Talking, illustrated by Christine Battuz, shows readers how there is more than one way to make new friends.

Tayra is the new kid in class. All of her classmates are trying to strike up a conversation but Tayra isn’t talking. Of course her classmates assume she is mean and grouchy. Kitty is very observant, she notices Tayra and asks herself why Tayra might be acting the way she is acting. Through compassion and a different way of thinking, Kitty welcomes Tayra into the class and shows her classmates how communication can happen with more than just words.

It’s clear that Lana Button has first hand experience with the types of social-emotional behaviour she writes about. She’s a kindergarten teacher and would see these things all of the time, as I have seen them as a preschool teacher. We all react differently to change and to new things. We are seeing more and more of this as children who have never been away from their parents are suddenly finding themselves in crowded classrooms thanks to the ongoing pandemic. Through her gentle, poetic story, Lana Button teachers readers about compassion and about non verbal communication as a way of inclusion.

Chistine Battuz’s illustrations are sweet. It’s so fun to look for Kitty in all of the illustrations to see what she is doing, how she is observing what is going on. The illustrations create a wonderful in for teachers and parents to talk about what is happening in the story and how Kitty is reacting vs her classmates.
Profile Image for Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews.
5,495 reviews174 followers
May 28, 2023
Kindness makes everything better.

It was fun to see how non-verbal communication was used in this story. Of course it was shown in the illustrations, too, but the text itself gave all sorts of clues about how certain characters felt, what the people around them assumed they were doing, and what happened when those assumptions clash with what was really going on. This isn’t something I’ve seen emphasized so heavily in most picture books, so it was refreshing to find it here.

There were a few times when I wished the names of the other students in Miss Seabrooke’s class had been shared. Not having that information made it harder to get to know them as individuals, although it also provided an interesting contrast to Tayra who had a name but never spoke. If the author ever writes a sequel, teasing out any other differences between these classmates that might exist and sharing their names could be a good starting point.

I enjoyed the fast-paced storyline. The characters had exactly enough time to try to figure out what was going on with Tayra before school began and they needed to pay attention to their teacher. It was interesting to see how their assumptions about having a classmate who didn’t speak matched up with what they learned about her later. Everyone wants to understand the world around them, and their curiosity was perfectly understandable.

Tayra’s Not Talking was a sensitive and beautiful tale.
Profile Image for Daniele Kasper.
Author 4 books303 followers
May 14, 2022
Introverts rejoice, here is a story just for you. Powers has crafted a tale celebrating the quiet, shy person inside of us.

Many children are shy and quiet. When they are not outgoing or social butterflies, adults can often worry or think that something is wrong. Sometimes children can wonder themselves about why they are different from other kids. But it is okay to be quiet and there is nothing wrong with it. It is a tale about embracing your inner odd duck, your own unique way of experiencing the world, and being okay with being on your own. It teaches us that quiet is okay, and that quiet is its own kind of strength.

The main character might be quiet on the outside, but on the inside, her imagination is loud and wild and vivid. She is curious and is able to see the world differently. There are so many different ways to communicate and just because someone doesn’t talk, doesn’t mean they don’t have a voice.

Beautifully illustrated, this book is a wonderful homage to the quiet ones.
Profile Image for Angie.
1,136 reviews17 followers
March 5, 2022
This is a story of a young girl who does not speak and the reactions and acceptance her classmates develop as they get to know her. I’m not sure if the main character is intended to have a disability such as autism or selective mutism, but I believe this book is trying to teach young children that all classmates are worth getting to know and we are each special and unique. I think the book is set in a preschool or kindergarten class, so I would recommend this book for children ages 3-6 or so. I think my grade 3/4 students might think it is more for younger students because of the look of the classroom in the story. Books about inclusion are so important and as young children begin to understand that there are others who are different, it will be important to have books like these ones to help them see that we are all different and that’s a good thing!

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!
Profile Image for Hailey Hconroybooks.
155 reviews32 followers
March 26, 2022
This is an important book that teaches children about compassion, patience, acceptance, and understanding. At the beginning of the story, the other children think that there’s something wrong with Tayra and that’s why she’s not talking. Through the help of the teacher and a kitten friend, the children learn that Tayra communicates just fine through gestures, pictures, and actions. They learn to understand and communicate with her.

It seems as if Tayra is either very shy or has selective mutism or autism. My 4 year old twin daughters enjoyed this book and the bright illustrations, and identified with the kitty friend who advocated for Tayra. As the parent of a young differently abled child, I appreciate books like this that help teach young children how to be more understanding and inclusive.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kids Can Press for thus digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Anita Salát.
500 reviews5 followers
February 15, 2022
This is a picture book easy to relate to: we all had our first day in the kindergarten, in the school or at a new workplace. Some of us pretend to be cool about it, others are stressed and talk too much, yet others keep silent. Same situation, different behaviours.

In this children's book the new girl is not talking, and we can see how the children deal with this new situation, and welcome her eventually to the group. This book offers a great opportunity to chat with your child about how different we are and how important it is to include everyone in our group, whether it is the kindergarten, our neighbourhood or the society in general.

Lovely illustrations and cute animals - my daughter liked the hedgehog in particular.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kids Can Press for an Advance Review Copy.
Profile Image for Chrissy Casey.
102 reviews8 followers
September 5, 2022
Tayra is a new student, who chooses not to talk. The students try talking louder, Then the student pushes another. The teacher explains that they need to give her time. That maybe she if overwhelmed. The students find that there other ways to communicate with Tayra.

I really loved this book. I have a selectively mute student this year and would love to have read it at the beginning of the year. I really appreciate that the book didn't end with Tayra talking. I am finding that it could take a long time for a SM to talk or he/she might not at all.

This is a must buy for anyone with a SM student or even one with differences.
9,306 reviews130 followers
December 5, 2021
A look at how the new kid in school refuses to say a word, to the teacher, to the kid she knocked to the ground, to anybody. Surely she's going to remain an outcast, not fitting in? No? While this is an issue book, concerned with raising a problem some readers will have, or recognise from their own school experience, this manages to also be an entertaining read due to the verse format, which is very well sustained. It's a very pleasant read, visually, too – once you recover from the bizarre top-down opening image.
810 reviews33 followers
July 18, 2022
Tayra’s Not Talking by Lana Button is good book. Tayra’s Not Talking tells the story of Tayra who going to a new school, but she refused to talk to people. Her classmates and teachers are welcoming to her and don’t give up in hopes that Tayra will starts talking. While this book was good, I felt like a lot more information of the story was missing to make it an excellent book (like maybe explaining better why Tayra was quiet—does she have a disability?). Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. My review is also on Goodreads.
Profile Image for Amanda Sanders.
687 reviews2 followers
March 22, 2022
Tayra won't speak with words, but she does eventually get her point across. The illustrations do a lot to help tell this story. They almost look like a felt story. I really like them. There are times when the text is confusing. Characters just jump in talking without explanation. I think that would be difficult for young readers. Overall, this has a great theme and great illustrations, but slightly confusing dialog.
Profile Image for Joyce Grant.
Author 8 books21 followers
June 7, 2022
Tayra's the new kid in school and she's not talking. Is she a bully? Is she mean? The other kids start to give their own meanings to Tayra's silence... until someone points out that maybe she's just shy. Or maybe Tayra has other ways of communicating! And so she has. As usual, Lana Button has captured the experience of some of our youngest, in a way that is delightful, empathetic and important. Five stars!
Profile Image for Victoria Sanchez.
Author 1 book32 followers
November 17, 2022
As the parent of a child with Selective Mutism, it makes me want to cry to see picture books showing non-verbal children in such a sweet and accepting way - we need more! I like that this felt accurate to who my child was in preschool and it will be a great inclusion book for early ed libraries.
Now I'd love to see Button write about an older Tayra set in elementary school and the challenges faced there!
Profile Image for Sylvia McNicoll.
Author 38 books83 followers
June 7, 2022
Lana Button is the kindergarten whisperer, capturing all the highs and lows of the small set. In Tayra's not talking she shows how classmates adopt to a nonverbal child, learning to read her other cues. It helps that Christine Battuz draws Tayra so irresistibly cute. By the way tayras are real South American animals, scarce but not endangered. Look those up with your kids for added fun.
Profile Image for Jo.
972 reviews16 followers
June 24, 2022
Tayra is the new girl in class, yet she doesn't talk. Is she deaf? I don't think so. But some people choose not to talk much, and we have to appreciate them for being themselves. It is not wrong, and we have to accept them and befriend them. This is what the author wants to convey to her little readers. A good book to have that reminds me to be kind to others.
Profile Image for OjoAusana.
2,268 reviews
July 17, 2022
*received for free from netgalley for honest review* This is an important kids book! love how they explain everything and would have loved a book like this as a kid. my best friend refused to talk until well into 2nd grade and a book like this would have been a big help for her and other kids to get why she didn't talk.
Profile Image for Andrea.
354 reviews12 followers
August 21, 2022
Part of a series of rhyming stories that tackle different situations and issues young children face in the preschool or kindergarten classroom. Nice way to promote acceptance of differences and open up discussions about friendships and feelings. Love how this story shows how kids communicate without using words. Fun, colourful illustrations.
Profile Image for Patricia N. McLaughlin.
Author 2 books33 followers
January 19, 2023
This heartwarming story about classroom communication issues and inclusion of differently abled kids features a cute cast of characters with a rhyming, sing-song text that makes it suitable for story time or bedtime. Miss Seabrooke shows how to take Tayra under her wing with compassion and understanding and encourage her students to do the same.
Profile Image for Emilee (emileereadsbooks).
1,598 reviews39 followers
February 25, 2022
Thanks to Netgalley and Kids Can Press for a free digital copy.

Tayra is a new kid at school who doesn't talk and at first that seems weird, but the other kids learn what it means to adapt and be a friend. Lovely illustrations and a story with a wonderful message for kids and adults alike.
Profile Image for Peacegal.
11.7k reviews102 followers
June 30, 2022
3.5 stars--In this story populated by cute animal characters, the class realizes that they new student, Tayra, doesn't speak. With gentle guidance from their teacher, the kids learn the many ways Tayra does communicate her needs and preferences, and she ends up having a successful first day.
88 reviews
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October 2, 2024
Going to a new school can be hard. Tayra is shy and not talking. She is called names, she is afraid, and she cries. Here teacher helps her navigate the day and helps Tayra problem solve when she doesn’t know what to do. She then begins to have fun and makes friends.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews

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