Growing up with speech-sound disorders, Sherry McMillan wished there was a way to feel less alone.
As an adult, she wanted children to know that it is okay to feel frustrated with their speech challenges and that help is out there—so she published the book My S’s Are Messes in 2023.
“In this book, the children are working extra hard, but the sounds are misbehaving,” says the author, who live in White Rock.
“They learn how to work together, that having speech challenges make us ‘World Champion Listeners,’ and that ‘When your voice won’t obey what you’re trying to say, it’s okay.’ Because ‘there’s no mistaking how we feel when we speak heart to heart.’”
My S’s Are Messes
After publishing her acclaimed book What the Seal Saw in 2021, she found that many of the people attending her book signings had speech sound disorders. Parents, educators and Speech-Language Pathologists started reaching out to tell her that they were using her book to help connect with children with speech differences.
She was encouraged to write a book specifically for children with speech differences, and those who love and support them.
“It’s a book for children with speech differences by an author who knows what it’s like,” says McMillan.
“I was bullied as a child and as an adult. And I’ve met so many others on this journey who have their own stories to tell. Having a communication challenge can be very isolating. As a child, it’s frustrating when you’re working so hard to do something that comes so easily for others.”
She adds that about 10 percent of children will have a speech-sound disorder, and the book is aimed at kids aged five to nine.
“One consideration is that this is the age where children who need it will likely first experience speech therapy,” says McMillan.
“It’s also an age where children are sometimes bullied for their speech challenges. So, I really wanted to provide the sort of the book I wish I’d had when I was this age. It’s a fun and fresh take on living with a speech difference.”
The Canadian Book Club Awards
The Canadian Book Club Awards (CBCA) is Canada’s largest reader’s choice award.
“This year’s finalists reflect exactly why the Canadian Book Club Awards were created,” says Kristain Oliveira-Barnes, program director for the CBCA.
“We’re here to celebrate diversity and great storytelling, no matter how a book is published. Readers want captivating stories, and that’s exactly what we received this year—an incredible range of voices and narratives that truly stand out.”
After evaluating the diverse lineup of book submissions, CBCA’s Avid Readers selected their list of finalists in each of the 13 literary categories.
“I’m so grateful for this recognition of my book,” says McMillan.
“It’s validating as an author to receive national attention. But it goes deeper than that, because this recognition also brings attention to those of us living with speech-sound disorders.”
She adds that she is most proud of the fact that the book is light-hearted and fun.
“As a child, any time my speech challenges were spoken about, it felt really heavy, awkward and embarrassing for me. This book approaches the subject in a really empathetic way,” she says.
My S’s Are Messes was also included in the Canadian Children’s Book Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens in spring 2024. It was recognized as a “title of exceptional calibre.”
In addition to What the Seal Saw, McMillan has written What the Raccoon Saw, part of the Naturally Curious book series. The next book in the series is due out in 2025.
Winners of the Canadian Book Club Awards will be announced in January 2025. For more information, visit thecanadianbookclubawards.ca.
Learn more about McMillan and her work at sherrymcmillan.ca.
