Favorite books are like good friends—you can’t have too many! Below are a few of some of our staff’s favorite titles for pre-school ages, young adults and parents. We welcome your suggestions. Share your favorites; we’ll try to include them in our Book Corner.
Developed to assist in the transition of students with cochlear implants into community school, “My Cochlear Implant and Me at School” was created by HEAR in New Hampshire to provide preschool and early elementary students with a basic understanding of children who have cochlear implants. It also provides an opportunity for parents and school staff to discuss deafness and cochlear implants in a way that promotes self-esteem and fosters peer relationships.
For information on how to order a copy, contact HEAR in New Hampshire, 1650 Elm Street, Suite 203, Manchester, NH 03101-1217; Phone: 603.624.4464 or email Executive Director, Lynda French at lfrench@hearinnh.org
In “Friends, Like You,” Molly and Max are two regular kids who happen to have a hearing loss. Listening can be hard work and misunderstandings happen sometimes, but they don’t let their hearing loss stop them from making friends and having fun! An ideal teaching tool for raising awareness about hearing loss and promoting friendships in mainstream settings. By Melissa Griswold
Available from Clarke School for Hearing and Speech, www.clarkeschools.org/store/friends-like-you–early-education-kit
What happens before, during, and after ear tube surgery in language a child understands is addressed in “Chris Gets Ear Tubes,” by Betty Pace. It takes away the child’s natural fear of the unknown. The full-color illustrations also familiarize the child with the hospital procedures.
Available in Spanish as well as English; Amazon. Written by Betty Pace and Kathryn Hutton, Washington, D.C.: Kendall Green Publications, 1987
A beautifully illustrated children’s story, “Oliver Gets Hearing Aids” follows Oliver, the elephant, who is fitted with hearing aids. The story explains the hearing aid fitting process and the reactions of Oliver’s friends and family. This is a perfect way to introduce the idea of hearing aids to a young child with hearing loss but is also a wonderful story for all children. By Maureen Cassidy Riski and Nikolas Klakow
Available through Amazon and available in Spanish and English. Free download of book available at www.phonak.com/com/b2c/en/support/children_and_hearinginstruments/downloads.html
The second book in the “Oliver” series addresses the need for FM. Although Oliver does very well with his hearing aids, he has difficulties hearing in some situations (e.g. on the phone, in the classroom). This book follows Oliver through the process of getting an FM system and all the benefits this technology brings with it. By Maureen Cassidy Riski
Available through Amazon and available in Spanish and English. Free download of book available at www.phonak.com/com/b2c/en/support/children_and_hearinginstruments/downloads.html
A story that teaches children and adults alike about Hearing Dogs and the role they play. Cajun’s Song is a fun book with a beautiful story about a lonely dog in a shelter that becomes a very special Hearing Dog and best friend of Janice, a woman who is deaf. Together, Cajun and Janice find love and fun as they share life and help each other. Cajun’s Song is a bilingual publication in English and Spanish. By Darlene Toole
To order, visit Amazon website and look for “Cajun’s Song: Cancion De Canjun,” by Darlene Toole, Hillsboro, Or.: Butte Pub., 2004
Sophie’s Tales: Learning to Listen is the first in a series of children’s books about Sophie, a little dog who discovers she has a hearing loss. She embarks on a journey to receiving a cochlear implant, meeting an ear doctor, having her hearing tested, and trying hearing aids along the way. Though Sophie understands that she is different from other dogs because she needs help to hear, her confidence and fun personality never waiver. By Melanie Paticoff
Available at www.sophiestales.com
Lacey’s life as an “only dog” changes the day Mom and Dad bring home a new baby. While Lacey goes through all of the confusion and upset that any child feels when presented with a new sister or brother, she eventually starts to like having baby Elana around. But when Elana takes no notice of all the noise, Lacey realizes that Elana can’t hear. First, she helps Mom and Dad figure it out, then she vows to become “Elana’s ears” and the best big sister in the world. By Gloria Roth Lowell
Order through Amazon: “Elana’s Ears: Or, How I Became the Best Sister in the World,” by Gloria Roth Lowell and Karen Stormer, Washington, D.C.: Magination, 2000
This is the story of a fourth-grade boy with a cochlear implant who shares his experiences in school with his teachers and friends and at home with his family. The book not only tells his story, but makes the reader aware of the daily experiences of hearing loss for everyone. By John F. Anderson Jr. ‘
Purchase through Amazon or online from Clarke School for Hearing and Speech at www.clarkeschools.org/store/my-hearing-loss-and-me
Suggested Reading: Picture Books
The Dump Man’s Treasure by Lynn Plourde
Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson
Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
Elmer by David McKee
Chapter Books:
Rules by Cynthia Lord
Wonder by RJ Palacio
Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper
Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine
Summer of the Swans by Betsy Byars
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