Expert Reviews for Hooray for Aiden

Hooray for Aiden has received positive reviews by experts in the field of speech-language pathology, disability and education. A sample of these reviews is copied below.

“…(Hooray for Aiden)is the best I have read for some time in this area. ‘I would highly recommend this book. It is a story which will interest and inspire children who
stammer (stutter) as it reflects evocatively the experiences and feelings of a young girl who stammers (stutters) and is starting a new school, as her parents have moved house.
Her mother’s acceptingly positive attitude to her daughter’s stammer presents a really helpful message. The girl’s discovery that her stammer need not hold her back in any way
during a classroom presentation at her new school by an adult who stammers, and is comfortable with it, is very sensitively explored. This story has a positive attitude to diversity
and will be enjoyed by all children whether they stammer (stutter) or not. It will also be an invaluable resource for parents, teachers, and speech & language therapists to read
and develop its ideas with children who are worried about their stammering (stuttering).”

Cherry Hughes
Education Officer, The British Stammering Association

“As an SLP who specializes in fluency disorders, and as someone who also stutters herself, I read Aiden’s story with great appreciation. You have painted a very real, honest
picture of feelings and thoughts that a young, school aged child who stutters would have when moving to a new school; or for that matter…when entering into any new situation with new
people to talk to. You also provided a welcome objective perspective and lesson to help children who stutter (and even adults who stutter) understand that it’s who we are that counts;
not how we talk!

Thank you for this story; it is certainly a book that I hope will be made available to SLPs, parents of children who stutter and teachers who have children who stutter in their
classrooms.”

Marybeth S. Allen, M.A., CCC-SLP, BRS-FD
Licensed Speech Language Pathologist
Board Recognized Specialist-Fluency Disorders
Instructor / Staff Speech Language Pathologist, University of Maine
Co-Chair Family Programs, National Stuttering Association

“Karen Hollett writes with insight into the daily struggles of a child who stutters. The fear of making friends, talking in front of the class, and being teased are real for many
children, and I believe this book can help those who stutter to talk more openly about these concerns.”

Jane Fraser
President, Stuttering Foundation of America

“This is a wonderful story about stuttering from a child’s perspective. I would recommend this book for parents, teachers and speech-language pathologists who support young
children who stutter.”

Sarina Hunt, S-LP (c)
Speech-Language Pathologist (Sarina Hunt is currently President of The Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists)

“I read “Hooray for Aiden” with interest and recommend it for use when young children need guidance in accepting speech difference as a normal part of society, whether they are
the child concerned or whether they are interacting with a child who stutters at times. The author shows commendable sensitivity to the effect speech difference may have on young
children. I admired the manner in which the teacher recognized the value of setting a positive example for accepting difference. A very good job was done as well in having the parents
not over-react to their child’s concern, and in their pointing out aspects of school which would make the learning experience positive and enjoyable for all children. A useful resource
for parents and teachers in teaching that difference is normal and acceptable.”

Dr. Gary Bunch
Chair, Marsha Forest Centre (For Social Innovation)
Senior Scholar and Professor Emeritus
York University, Toronto