Children’s Language & Literacy Using Children’s Books Artwork

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SLP Coffee Talk

Children’s Language & Literacy Using Children’s Books

May 05, 2025 • Hallie Sherman • Episode 275

Hallie chats with Julie Barber-Bristol about using children's books to target language and literacy.

In this fun and heartwarming episode of SLP Coffee Talk, we’re hanging out with the fabulous Julie L. Barber-Bristol, M.S., CCC-SLP—a children’s literature-loving SLP with 20+ years of experience and a passion for making speech therapy magical. From New York to Pennsylvania to Texas, Julie’s done it all—private practice, schools, hospitals, even nursing homes. Now rocking it in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, she shares how she takes just one picture book and spins it into a month-long adventure full of language goals, classroom collabs and sensory fun! If you love kid lit, creative therapy ideas, and real talk from a seasoned SLP, you’re in for a treat!

Bullet Points to Discuss:

Why children’s books are her go-to therapy tool
How one book becomes a month-long therapy adventure
Bringing therapy to life with props, movement, and multi-sensory fun
Collaborating with teachers, paras, parents, and even librarians
Mixing literacy with social-pragmatic and emotional learning

Here’s what we learned:

One great book can fuel weeks of creative, effective therapy.
Books are packed with visuals, vocab, and built-in engagement.
Collaboration = magic. Don’t go it alone!
You don’t need fancy materials—just creativity and a good story.
Social thinking and emotion skills pair perfectly with literacy.
When therapy is fun, students (and staff!) want to be part of it.
The speech room isn’t the only place great therapy happens—get out there!

Learn more about Julie Barber-Bristol:

Website: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=A-Comprehensive-Analysis-of-Using-Childrens-Books-in-Speech-

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julieb2slp/

Learn more about Hallie Sherman and SLP Elevate:

📝 Website: https://speechtimefun.com/

🎲✨ Check out the Secondary Secret Podcast here! https://www.speechtimefunpd.com/secret-podcast-signup

Subscribe today and get access to my secret podcast filled with my juicy secrets for planning with ease for secondary speech students. 6 quick episodes that you can quickly listen to and feel refreshed and inspired! https://speechtimefun.com/secondarysecrets