Book review: Ella's Gift

Friday 11th April 2025

An children's drawing of a girl with the words 'Ella's Gift' above it

STAMMA volunteer Leanne Vidamour and her daughter Scarlett review the self-published children's book Ella's Gift, by Adrienne Till.

Ella's Gift is a story about a little girl who has a stammer that sometimes makes her feel blue. It follows Ella as she tries to change aspects of her stammer but then comes to realise that everyone has struggles and there are people around her who love her for who she is. Which is a great message. It really hones in on the importance of accepting yourself for who you are.

The language is positive and upbeat, and the flow works well for children due to its fast pace and rhyming words. The illustrations are bright and eye-catching.

I did wonder about one part where Ella thinks her stammer makes her sound like a frog, and if this puts a negative light on a different but still amazing way to communicate. But overall I loved how the story showed that everyone is different and we can embrace our differences. I would recommend this book as an introduction to stammering for young children.

My daughter Scarlett's view (aged 9)

Ella's Gift is a story about a girl called Ella who has a stammer which she is afraid to show. The story follows Ella on her journey to accept her stammer. The story has a message that everyone is different and that's okay! Oh, and that people should just accept stammering as it's a superpower!

My favourite line from the book is 'She was a superhero, stammer and all'. When people talk about stammering in a positive way it makes me feel like I can do anything. I would recommend it as a good book for anyone who stammers!

Ella's Gift is a self-published book by Adrienne Till. If you would like to buy a copy for £10 +p&p, email her at agathablue@icloud.com. You can find more information about Adrienne and her range of books on her website.

As well as Ella's Gift, Adrienne has written three other titles about stammering. This includes 'What's your superpower?', a story about a boy learning that stammering can be a positive way to make people take the time to pause and reflect. There are the poems 'I can't get the Dees to come out' and 'I drop aitches wherever I go'. Each book is 20 to 23 pages long.

Title

About the author

We asked Adrienne to tell us the inspiration behind her books. Here's what she told us:

Adrienne Till

"My name is Adrienne and my stammer started when I began secondary school. A mix of losing my confidence and partly inheriting it from my dad. I have always loved reading and writing, I have always wanted to be an author. What I love about writing is that I can write the words and they are there, on the page, ready to read. The words seem to flow so much better.

'I work in a very client-based office environment for my main job, making phone calls, taking phone calls, seeing clients face to face. I also teach teen Jiu Jitsu! Doing all of that with a stammer hasn't been easy. Some people wouldn't know I have a stammer, other times it is just so obvious. I know when I'm having a bad day when I can't get my words to come out, especially if I am ill or tired.

'The books I have written in my stammer series reflect all of that and also they are to show that just because we stammer sometimes or a lot, it doesn't make us any less of a person. It can also be our superpower, and there is hope if we are able to embrace who we are. I would like anyone and everyone who reads my stories to be truly inspired, and to feel understood."

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Thank you to Leanne & Scarlett for reviewing this book for STAMMA!