Welcome back to Three To Read Jr.! This week, we’re celebrating Deaf and hard of hearing representation in children’s literature. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 300,000 children aged five to 17 in the U.S. are Deaf or hard of hearing. Despite this, not many children’s books center Deaf perspectives or experiences. That’s why we’ve selected three books from Deaf authors that highlight Deaf and hard of hearing characters. Help your child embrace what makes them unique — or learn how others experience the world differently.
EARLY READERS
Monster Hands by Karen Kane and Jonaz McMillan, Illustrated by Dion MBD
SYNOPSIS:
Poor Milo can’t sleep. After reading a scary book, he’s convinced there’s a monster hiding under his bed! But his neighbor Mel has a plan: scare the monsters using shadow puppets. Armed with flashlights and sign language, the two friends team up to conquer their fears. Will it be enough to frighten away the monsters for good?
WHY:
Co-authored by a Deaf writer and an ASL interpreter, Monster Hands celebrates sign language and the power of friendship. Jonaz McMillan and Karen Kane place ASL front and center, even incorporating rhyming signs, or signs that use similar hand shapes. Dion MBD’s expressive illustrations bring the monsters — and the children fighting them — to life in exceptional detail. If your child is afraid of the dark, this book is sure to help them overcome their fears.
ELEMENTARY READERS
We Deaf-initely Can, Let the Adventures Begin by Karlie Waldrip, Illustrated by Lucy Rogers
SYNOPSIS:
Deaf rescue dog Rhett first shared his story in the 2022 children’s book I Deaf-initely Can, Rhett the Healer. Now, he and owner Karlie, who’s also Deaf, are back to embark on new adventures together — and you’re invited! Hop in the car with Rhett and Karlie for a fun day out in the wilderness with their friends — followed, of course, by plenty of snacks.
WHY:
Picking up where its predecessor left off, We Deaf-initely Can is an ode to the joy of trying new things. Readers will learn ASL words alongside Rhett as he explores the world around him and encounters unfamiliar sights. Accompanied by Deaf illustrator Lucy Rogers’s delightful artwork, this journey is one Deaf and hearing children alike won’t want to miss.
MIDDLE GRADE READERS
Deer Run Home by Ann Clare LeZotte
Trigger warning: This book contains depictions of child abuse, sexual abuse, and ableism. Please exercise personal care when reading.
SYNOPSIS:
Twelve-year-old Effie is the only Deaf person in her family. Not many people around her know sign language — or are willing to learn. When Effie starts having nightmares about her abusive stepfather, her mother sends her and her older sister, Deja, to live with their father. But Effie’s father is also neglectful, and with no support at home, Effie struggles to keep up in school. Luckily, she finds friendship with her ASL interpreter, Miss Kathy; her classmate, Cait; and a deer, Golden Eyes, who lives near her home. As Effie learns to express herself through poetry, she finally finds the courage to open up and share her truth.
WHY:
Author Ann Clare LeZotte has never shied away from telling difficult stories, often rooted in real history. Her award-winning Show Me a Sign series tackles 19th-century ableism and other social issues head-on. Despite the challenges they face, LeZotte’s characters find strength and resolve both in themselves and in the support of their communities. Told in vivid, moving verse, Deer Run Home is an unflinching yet ultimately triumphant account of one girl’s survival and resilience.
Thanks for joining us for this week’s Three to Read Jr.! Be sure to tune in again next week to find your little bookworm’s new favorite read.
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