Stitches: A Memoir is written and illustrated by David Small. This graphic novel begins when David was six years old growing up in Detroit, Michigan. After a couple of pages in, I could immediately sense the world that this book lives in. It's dark, dramatic, and lonely. From the beginning of this story, I felt empathy for this boy, who doesn't know anything different since this is the only childhood he knows and has experienced. As the memoir continues and reveals more trauma, I immediately felt compassion for when he became voiceless because of extensive surgery. How do you have a voice one day and function the next day without your voice? As a speech-language pathologist who specializes in working with individuals that have communication disorders, this novel hit home for me. The story continues and David begins to find hope and closure in all of the events in his life as he gets older.
There are no words to describe how well David portrays his life and the characters in it. The nonverbal communication he draws and expresses throughout this book is profound and explains the dramatic childhood he experienced and how he began to heal. Stitches is for a more mature audience and younger children (middle grade) may find the material too difficult to read. However, this should be a decision made on an individual basis. From my perspective, a high school student and older would be an ideal audience.
To learn more about David and see scenes from the book, visit my website here.
Interview with Educator and Author, Noreen O’Sullivan
Interview with Rosena Fung, Author and Illustrator of Living with Viola
Interview with Nancy Tandon, Author of The Way I Say It
Interview with Adina Lichtman, Founder of Knock, Knock Give a Sock
Interview with Erica Blit, Creator of My Heart Books
Interview with Illustrator and Author, Janice Hechter
Interview with Author and Illustrator, Yehudi Mercado
Interview with Actor, Activist, and Author Jazmyn Simon
Interview with Storyteller and Author, Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso
Interview with Roz MacLean, Children’s Book Illustrator and Graphic Artist
Interview with SLP and Author Lisa Cloherty, Author of Terrance The Hothead
Interview with Ellie Terry, Author of Forget Me Not
Interview with Kelsey Brown, Author of Come On, Calm!
Interview with Dr. Kim Dwyer, Author of Mindful Mondays Transforming The Everyday To Claim Calm and Reduce Stress
Interview with Benjamin Giroux, Author of I am Odd, I am New
Interview with Lucy Nathanson, Child Therapist and Author of 4 books about Selective Mutism
Interview with Catherine J. Manning, Author of Be the Dragon 9 Keys to Unlocking Your Inner Magic
Interview with Anne Alcott, Author and Illustrator of When Things Get Too Loud
Interview with Elizabeth Sautter, Speech Language Pathologist and Author
Join Podbean Ads Marketplace and connect with engaged listeners.
Advertise Today
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Future of Education Podcast: Parental guide to cultivating your kids’ academics, life skill development, & emotional growth
Smash Boom Best: A funny, smart debate show for kids and family
Mysteries About True Histories (M.A.T.H.)
Gulliver’s Travels
Just So Stories
12 Hour Sound Machines for Sleep (no loops or fades)
Forever Ago