Children’s Language & Literacy Using Children’s Books

SLP Coffee Talk

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