Common Sense Media Review
Intimate day in the life of an autistic boy and mother.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Opening with a tender morning scene, A DAY WITH NO WORDS shares a slice of life from the perspective of a young nonverbal autistic boy whose mother is also autistic and nonverbal. Using a speech tablet to communicate with each other and others, readers are taken from tender family scenes to a ferocious moment in the park where the mother uses her speech tablet to confront other parents who have spoken unkind words in her son's hearing. The story concludes at a cozy diner with a kind cashier and happy lunch.
Is It Any Good?
Deeply wise in its message and moving in its intimacy, Tiffany Hammond has opened a chapter out of her own family's life to help readers understand a young, nonverbal Autistic boy's experience of the world around him and the mother who loves and supports him. Supported by the intelligent, expressive illustrations of Kate Cosgrove, this book shows us how words can be exchanged in harsh, harmful ways as well as the fresh insights provided by someone with an economy of words and a unique perspective. An ultimately empowering and inclusive book that belongs on every kid's bookshelf.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how mother and son communicated with each other and others in A Day With No Words. How did they communicate? What are ways you communicate without words?
In the back of the book, the author identifies the boy in her story as Aidan, the main character. How does Aidan describe people's voices? How would you describe some of the voices of your family or friends using things you might touch or feel, like Aidan did?
Even if a person might not be able to speak words, they might still hear other people's words. What can you do if someone says something unkind about another person, even if they think that person might not hear them?
With your family, go an hour or two or a whole day without speaking words. Practice other ways of communicating. Notice new things in your world world without talking about them. Begin to imagine what it's like for people who communicate without spoken language. What did you notice? What did you learn?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Kate Cosgrove
- Genre : Picture Book
- Character Strengths : Communication , Compassion , Curiosity
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : Wheat Penny Press
- Publication date : May 9, 2023
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 48
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : April 19, 2026
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