1. Gets a Talker

2. Gets a Talker Curious George character & concept by Margret & H.A. Rey
Curious George art by various artists affiliated with Curious George books & show
Story and talker “art” by: Dana Nieder
This book is for AAC users, their families, and the people who support them.
It is available as a free pdf download at:

3. This is George. George is a smart, funny, curious monkey.1

4. George is a happy monkey, but he has a problem!
It is difficult for George to speak. His mouth has trouble saying the words that he is thinking. When George tries to talk to his friends they have trouble understanding him. 2

5. When George’s friends can’t understand, he feels frustrated.
Sometimes he feels sad, too. 3

6. George tries to find other ways to tell his friends what he is thinking.
When George went fishing with his friend Bill he was so cold! He tried to tell Bill that he was cold by acting it out-holding his arms around his body and shivering.
But Bill didn’t understand. 4

7. When George wanted to tell his friend, the man with the yellow hat, about presents in a store window, the man didn’t understand.
George tried to explain by drawing pictures, but the man with the yellow hat still didn’t know what George was trying to tell him. 5

8. George is sad.
He wants to talk to his friends and family. He has so many things to tell them, and so many questions to ask.
He doesn’t know what to do. 6

9. The man with the yellow hat has an idea!
He shows George a special communication device (also called a talker) that will let George communicate with his friends and family in a way that everyone will understand.
George will tap out his thoughts on the talker, and it will speak clearly and loudly for everyone to hear! 7

10. George is very excited about the talker
. . . but he is also confused.
How will he know which buttons will say the words that he wants to say? 8

11. Soon, George understands how he will learn to use the talker-his family and friends will help!
The man with the yellow hat begins to use the talker, and every time he taps a button George learns where a new word is.
George learns how to ask for things that he wants (like “bananas”), how to ask questions (like “where is my book?”) and how to say new things every day! 9

12. George is excited to show his talker to his friends, and they are excited about it, too! Professor Wiseman takes George on a nature walk and helps him find words to talk about the great outdoors. 10

13. When George goes to the playground with his friends, Bill asks George to come on the big slide-and he helps George find the button that says “slide”, too.
George uses the talker to tell them no. He doesn’t want to go on the big slide, he wants to swing!
Allie and Bill didn’t know that George loves the swings most of all! 11

14. Learning how to use the talker is a lot of work, but George keeps trying. The more he uses his talker, the easier it becomes!
George uses his talker to tell the man with the yellow hat that he wants to go to the library. The man with the yellow hat is happy that George can tell him where he wants to go. He says, “Ok, George, let’s go to the library right now!” 12

15. At the library, George looks for his favorite book, a story about Detective James Bark.
He can’t find it anywhere. He uses his talker to ask the librarian for help to find the book.
She is happy to help!
George and the man with the yellow hat read the book before bedtime. George uses his talker to say that his favorite part was when Detective Bark flies in a helicopter! 13

16. When Bill and George go to the store, George waves to the woman at the counter. He buys 2 bananas and uses his talker to tell her that he will come back again soon. 14

17. Later, Bill is picking vegetables in the garden and tells George to come quick!
George runs over with his talker. Bill shows him some wiggly earthworms, and George uses his talker to say that they are slimy, dirty, and awesome! 15

18. Sometimes George forgets to use his talker.
He tries to tell Allie that he wants to play in her sandbox and drink lemonade, but she doesn’t understand.
Then he has an idea! 16

19. George uses the talker to explain what he was thinking.
Allie and George run inside to get lemonade and drink it in the sandbox, just like George wanted!
They even blow bubbles in their cups! 17

20. Soon George is bringing his talker everywhere
Soon George is bringing his talker everywhere! Sometimes he carries the talker with his hands (or feet!). George brings his talker to the playground and uses it to talk to new friends. 18

21. Sometimes George wears the talker on a strap.
George brings his talker to school everyday. George’s teacher uses the talker with him and helps him find words at school, and he uses the talker to talk to his teacher and friends.
They all love George’s talker-it helps everyone to understand George, and all of the clever and silly things that he has to say! 19

22. It takes a lot of practice to learn where all of the words are, but George learns more everyday. George is glad that the talker helps him say whatever he wants to say, whenever he wants to say it! George is so happy to have his talker! 20