Stories Told in Different Ways

“Not being able to speak is not the same as not having anything to say.”
 — Rosemary Crossley

A digital illustration of a simplified AAC device. The screen shows colourful square buttons with icons such as a smiley face, a heart, a food symbol, and a speech bubble. The blog title "Stories Told in Different Ways" is written above the device in soft, friendly lettering.


Picture Books Featuring AAC Users

These picture books feature children who use AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) to communicate. They are not about the technology itself, but about everyday moments, identity, and connection.

Seeing AAC users in story settings helps normalise diverse ways of communicating and allows more children to feel seen. As a small press author myself, I know how easily thoughtful, independently published books can be overlooked. It feels important to highlight stories like these, stories that speak quietly and leave a lasting impact.

Each of these books comes from a small press or independent creator and offers something rare: authentic representation told with warmth and clarity. Whether you're raising a child who uses AAC, teaching inclusive literacy, or simply building a more thoughtful bookshelf, these stories are worth a closer look.

Cover of "Navigating Nellie: The Bakery Dilemma" by Ashley Woller. A smiling girl with brown hair holds a cookie with a bite out of it and an AAC device outside of a bakery counter walking with a adult female.

Navigating Nellie: The Bakery Dilemma

By Ashley Woller
Nellie heads to the bakery, AAC device in hand, ready to choose a treat. But when the pastry she picks doesn’t taste how she expected, she has to decide whether to stay silent or speak up. This short story offers a gentle lesson in self-advocacy, flexible thinking, and trying again, with colourful illustrations and a warm, realistic tone. 


Cover of "A Day with No Words" by Tiffany Hammond. An illustrated child with glasses and short hair sits cross-legged on a dark background, surrounded by chalk-style drawings of a playground and forest.


A Day with No Words

By Tiffany Hammond
Told from the perspective of a mother, this story captures a full day with her non-speaking autistic son. Through vivid scenes and rich illustrations, we see how communication unfolds in many forms, from body language to AAC screens, without a single spoken word. A tender, beautifully rendered celebration of neurodiversity.

For more information and related resources, visit adaywithnowords.com.

Cover of "Me and My AAC" by Tabitha Cabrera and Mike Barnett. A smiling cartoon child holds up an AAC device above their head, with a red train steaming forward on tracks below.


Me and My AAC

By Tabitha Cabrera
Told from a child’s perspective, this book offers a first-person look at life with an AAC device. It is a positive, empowering introduction for children who use AAC and for those learning how to be good communication partners.

Cover of "Do You Talk the Way I Talk?" by Tabitha Cabrera and Mike Barnett. Four cartoon children smile inside a large speech bubble, with illustrated PECS and AAC boards in the corners over a colourful patterned background.


Do You Talk the Way I Talk?

By Tabitha Cabrera
This title explores the many different ways people communicate and encourages children to notice and celebrate those differences. It is a simple but effective book for building understanding, whether in classrooms or at home.

Cover of "Lucas the Lion Loves The Tiny Talker" by Ryan and Brittani Rollen. A cartoon lion stands in the grass holding an AAC device. The right side of the cover shows a removable Tiny Talker device with illustrated communication buttons.


Lucas the Lion Loves The Tiny Talker

By Ryan and Brittani Rollen
Lucas the Lion uses a Tiny Talker AAC device to connect with others and share how he feels. The story normalises AAC use in a playful and accessible way, making it a helpful conversation starter for families, educators, and therapists.

And one more worth noting, this time from a Canadian creator!

Cover of "Eddie the Elephant Has Something to Say" by Alison Johns, illustrated by Tara Put. A grey cartoon elephant smiles while holding an AAC board with picture symbols for apple, heart, sun, and more.


Eddie the Elephant Has Something to Say

By Alison Johns
Eddie is a young elephant with a lot on his mind, but he needs a bit of help to share it. With the support of his AAC device, Eddie learns to express his thoughts and feelings in his own way. This gentle, beautifully illustrated story encourages empathy, understanding, and the idea that every voice matters.


Note: This title is written by Canadian author Alison Johns, a speech-language pathologist based in Calgary. It is not available on Amazon but can be ordered through local bookstores listed on her website at eddietheelephant.com.


More inclusive books coming soon.
For behind-the-scenes updates from our own picture book project, visit littlegoodbyes.ca.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you choose to buy through them, at no extra cost to you. These earnings help support my work on inclusive book reviews and independent publishing. Thank you for your support.



Location: Canada

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