We hope Jude's book empowers every child who stammers

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Jude, and the cover of his book 'I didn't ask for beans'

Hannah Robertson tells us the story behind her son Jude's new book 'I Didn't Ask For Beans'.

From an early age, my son Jude has lived with a stammer. It's something he has come to accept as part of who he is, although there are moments when it can be frustrating and exhausting for him. 

Thankfully, Jude has always been surrounded by a patient and supportive network of family and friends who listen and wait, encouraging him to speak at his own pace. Yet, despite this warmth, he has faced many challenges — especially in situations where adults, either unaware or uninformed, responded insensitively to his stammer.

Sharing Jude's story

When he was 8, Jude began to open up about his school life, sharing memories that were painful, including one experience that was particularly heartbreaking for us as parents, when he wasn't given time to speak when ordering food.

Moved by his openness, we began writing down his thoughts and feelings, transforming them into the foundation of a book. Over the past few years, the draft sat patiently as we deliberated over questions — how to publish it, whether we needed an illustrator, and how best to share Jude's story with the world. This autumn, however, we decided it was time to act. We dusted off the draft, gave it a fresh edit and submitted the book to Amazon, opting to design it ourselves to bring it to readers as soon as possible.

We want it to foster empathy and understanding for children and adults with a stammer, encouraging others to listen with patience and kindness. 

Though just 24 pages, the book carries a deeply meaningful message: a message for everyone who stammers that their voice is unique, valuable and powerful. Titled 'I Didn't Ask for Beans' after the experience I mentioned above, this book is written in Jude's own words. It's a heartfelt account of his thoughts, feelings and experiences of living with a stammer, as well as a call for patience and understanding. Jude hopes that this book will raise awareness about stammering — what it feels like and how much someone's response can impact those who live with it.

Ambitions

Jude's courage and determination are truly inspiring. He's an avid West Ham supporter and a dedicated football fan, and he has even considered a future in sports commentary or punditry — fields that rely on confident speaking. His ambition to explore these voice-centred careers is something that fills us with pride. Every week, he participates in presentations within his community, often volunteering first to speak. Despite challenging days when his stammer may be more pronounced, Jude remains resilient. He understands that his ideas matter and deserve to be heard, regardless of how long it takes.

Now available on Amazon as a physical book, 'I Didn't Ask For Beans' is more than a personal story — it's our hope that it reaches schools and communities everywhere. We want it to foster empathy and understanding for children and adults with a stammer, encouraging others to listen with patience and kindness. Above all, we hope that Jude's book empowers every child who stammers, showing them they are not alone and that their voice is indeed a superpower.

'I didn't ask for beans: my life with a stammer' by Jude Robertson is a self-published book available to buy now on paperback from Amazon. Read our review of Jude's book. 

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