Tayra's Not Talking

Tayra, the new girl in class, won’t speak to anyone, not even the teacher, so Kitty decides to show her things instead of telling her, and soon the pair are communicating via pictures and gestures, drawing Tayra out of her shell. 10,000 first printing. Illustrations.
Tayra won't talk to her new classmates. Is there anything they can do Why doesn't the new student in Miss Seabrooke's kindergarten class say anything when the other students talk to her? Speaking LOUDER doesn't help. Tayra won't even answer the teacher! They're about to give up. But then Kitty decides she'll show Tayra things instead of telling her. Soon the pair are communicating with gestures, drawings and smiles. Before long, all the others join in the fun, too!This story shows that words aren't the only way to connect and be friends!
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 message: 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.