Why We Created Gus and Wag
Gus and Wag Learn to Talk was created by speech-language pathologist
Trish Smith, after helping a young child say his very first words. She realized how much families needed simple, flexible tools that could work in any setting, whether at home, in daycare, or in preschool.
Every book in the series meets children where they are. The focus is always on connection, celebrating progress, and providing parents and teachers with clear, practical ways to support early speech and language development.
Early speech isn’t just about talking. It’s about helping children understand their world, connect with others, and express themselves with confidence. The Gus and Wag Learn to Talk book series guides you in identifying skills, noticing milestones, and using step-by-step strategies tailored to each stage of development.
Trish Smith
Pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist
M.S., CCC-SLP
Meet Trish
Trish Smith is a speech-language pathologist with 30 years of experience supporting children and their families around the world. She has worked in homes, schools, hospitals, and private practice, giving her a deep understanding of the everyday realities families face and the unique strengths each child brings to the table.
She has served military families overseas, helping their children build essential language skills and adjust to new environments. Trish has managed more than a dozen special education programs across three continents and has led teams of professionals in creating supportive, accessible services for young learners. She has designed and delivered training for speech-language pathologists, early childhood special educators, occupational and physical therapists, pediatric psychologists, social workers, nurses, doctors, and parents. Most recently, she collaborated with Congress to help shape federal policy for military families with special medical and educational needs, ensuring their children receive the services they deserve.
Trish believes that children learn best when they feel safe, seen, and connected. Her passion is partnering with parents and teachers to build strong, supportive relationships with children and to find simple, practical ways to nurture speech and language development in everyday life. Through her books, Trish hopes to encourage families and educators to celebrate every milestone, embrace the small moments, and make learning to talk a joyful, meaningful adventure.
Our Purpose.
At Gus and Wag Learn to Talk, our purpose is simple:
We believe that every parent should feel empowered and every child should feel encouraged and supported. Our books are designed to make speech and language learning feel natural in everyday moments.
Meet children right where they are on their speech and language journey.
Break big skills into small, clear steps that feel manageable in everyday life.
Strengthen connection, confidence, and joy while kids learn to understand and use language.
Support growth across four key areas:
Expressive Speech, Understanding Language, Pronunciation/Articulation and Social Language Skills.
Future Vision for the Learn to Talk Series
The Learn to Talk series is just getting started. Trish is developing a full collection of books that help young children build speech and language in a way that feels natural, fun, and connection-centered. Each new title will focus on an essential early language skill and provide families and teachers with clear steps they can use in everyday moments.
The goal is to create a growing library of tools that support children at every stage of their communication journey. Future books will continue to blend simple routines, purposeful repetition, and playful interaction, giving kids the confidence to understand and use language in meaningful ways. The series will expand over time to offer guidance for a wider range of learning needs, so every child can feel seen, supported, and empowered as they learn to talk.
