ruthypoo2's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
In a way, this book compliments another non-fiction I read earlier this year, An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us, a fascinating account of how animals perceive the world differently than we do. In Stella, the author, herself a speech-language pathologist, does an excellent job explaining a practical, patient, and loving application of using Augmentative and Alternative Communicaton (AAC) with her pet dog, Stella. As a dog owner myself, it's very informative to learn about ways in which we can give our pets more of a voice by not only introducing an AAC assistive device in a thoughtful manner, but simply paying better attention to the intuitive behaviors they use to "talk" with us all the time.
I read along on the digital edition to be sure and see the photos, while I listened to the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed the clear delivery of the narrator, Ann Marie Gideon. There are also supplemental sounds included on the audiobook that enhance the listening experience, such as specific words being spoken by the AAC device created for Stella.
I read along on the digital edition to be sure and see the photos, while I listened to the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed the clear delivery of the narrator, Ann Marie Gideon. There are also supplemental sounds included on the audiobook that enhance the listening experience, such as specific words being spoken by the AAC device created for Stella.
seattle_andrea's review against another edition
5.0
This is a great and inspirational book. I'm excited to see how this book impacts the world of communication with our furry friends. I recently bought a pack of buttons and have already started to see my dog start to expand her way of communicating. She has used the 'water' button a few times in the correct context, and this morning it was incredible and heartwarming to have her 'say' my name to get me out of bed. I'm truly grateful that this book was published; it is both an educational and entertaining read.
ela_lee_'s review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting and unique read; I learned a lot about speech pathology for humans AND dogs. I really enjoyed the stories from Hunger's client sessions and seeing the big difference communication devices have made in the modern world for those who can't communicate verbally.
I do think this book would be slightly more effective if Hunger had previously raised her own dog (as an adult) before teaching Stella to talk. You can obviously form an extremely close connection and understanding with your pet without buttons, and I don’t think Hunger had enough previous experience with dogs to compare Stella's reactions to a dog without buttons.
I also wish she answered the question: How much more difficult is it to teach your dog these buttons if they’re no longer a puppy? Funny enough, this book didn’t convince me to invest in buttons when I definitely thought it would. But maybe someday!
I do think this book would be slightly more effective if Hunger had previously raised her own dog (as an adult) before teaching Stella to talk. You can obviously form an extremely close connection and understanding with your pet without buttons, and I don’t think Hunger had enough previous experience with dogs to compare Stella's reactions to a dog without buttons.
I also wish she answered the question: How much more difficult is it to teach your dog these buttons if they’re no longer a puppy? Funny enough, this book didn’t convince me to invest in buttons when I definitely thought it would. But maybe someday!
gablia's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This is the one book I will always have an extra copy of to lend others.
skyelightzone's review against another edition
4.0
This book was absolutely fascinating! I’ve been so excited about talking dogs since first discovering Christina and Stella, and after reading the book, not only am I even more motivated to try it out myself, but I’m also interested in learning more about how children develop language and communication and the use of AAC devices.
maryesthernev's review against another edition
3.0
Fascinating book! I would have never picked this up on my own but this book will be the one I talk about more than any other this year.