This Is How We Talk: A Celebration of Disability and Connection

K-Gr 4–Slice and Cupp’s follow-up to This Is How We Play highlights the many ways people communicate—through words, gestures, sound, and movement—showing that connection goes beyond spoken language. Emmes narrates with warmth and enthusiasm, communicating the joy and uniqueness found in expressions such as stimming, clapping, and signing. Her narration underscores that even these forms of communication convey a range of emotions, including joy, sadness, anger, or frustration; they are still deeply human and worth celebrating. The gentle musical background enhances the story, adding rhythm and brightness that support the book’s message of inclusion and understanding. The back matter offers an informative balance to the lyrical story, providing thoughtful explanations of different communication styles and their roles in people’s lives. This section helps listeners appreciate the range of human expression and reinforces the book’s educational value. Emmes’s pacing is lively and steady, making it simple for young listeners to follow. However, adding sound effects or subtle auditory cues could have further enriched the experience, especially since many of the communication methods described are physical and sensory in nature. Incorporating those sounds would have enhanced the story’s theme of expression, making it even more dynamic and immersive, particularly for listeners who may not experience the book visually.