Leroy Has Something to Say
Gustavo the Shy Ghost meets I Talk Like a River in this sweet and spooky picture book about the many ways we communicate with each other.
Leroy the ghost loves his garden at Rosebud Manor. Every time a new family moves in, he greets them with a beautiful yellow rose, the flower of friendship. But no one understands what he's trying to say, and they always get scared away!
Then one day, Tara-a girl who uses a device to talk-moves in. It turns out Tara knows just as much about plants as Leroy. Is it possible she speaks the language of flowers, too, and that Leroy has finally found someone who understands him?
This sweet picture book celebrates the many different ways we communicate with each other, showing there's more than one way to find your voice and make a friend.
Order on Bookshop.org or wherever books are sold.
Published July 7, 2026.
“Intimate, detailed illustrations effuse warmth and life, adding to the book’s spooky charm.”
-Foreward (Starred review)
“Rosenthal's text features measured, lilting sentences with poetic imagery to fertilize the imagination. The author, who uses AAC herself, includes a note to readers explaining that though someone may not speak, that doesn't mean "they don't have anything to say." Phuong's digitally colored graphite-pencil illustrations are comforting and use a soft, earth-toned palette to highlight Leroy's emotions… Love for Leroy will likely take root in fans of Christy Mandin's Millie Fleur books and Tiffany Hammond and Kate Cosgrove's A Day with No Words.”
-Shelf Awareness (Starred review)
“The gentle ghost story intertwined with the AAC intro would make an excellent addition to any collection.”
-Booklist
“Rosenthal’s first picture book twines Leroy’s and Tara’s respective communication challenges without being heavy-handed… Thai’s subdued, digitally finished graphite-pencil art, which is suitably awash in garden greens and earth tones, matches this feelings-focused story’s tenderness… A tale of kindness and bridged connections.”
-Kirkus
From Bookriot.
Resources on
AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication):
This is not an exhaustive list of resources, organizations, and advocates, but I hope it will help you start learning more about the many forms of AAC and the people who use them!