Tessie may need to tame her tongue, but the author needs to tame their pen. This book started out fun, but quickly got bogged down, long, and boring. It's a book on learning when to talk and when to listen, and how to be a good listener. But it spends so much time trying to make a point, or giving practical examples, that the mind has wandered away from the concept. I like the tips at the back of the book, and I think the story could be presented in a less “talkative” way. Too Long, too wordy. The illustrations are great, and it has a biracial family for those looking for more representation in children’s books.