The books listed here can help educators, parents, and young children learn about hearing loss. These books can also support young deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) children and their families by providing representation of different hearing devices and American Sign Language. This list is just a start; there are many other pictures books featuring DHH characters not listed below.
IEL Resources
Resource Lists
Books
Ada and the Helpers. By Travis Peterson
Illustrated by Melissa Fischer. Published by Launch Mission Publishing, 2021
Ada and the Helpers tells the story of Ada, a deaf fox, and highlights themes of friendship, teamwork, and inclusivity. As Ada navigates her world, readers learn that everyone has unique strengths and that understanding differences builds stronger communities. This book introduces children to the experiences of those who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing while promoting compassion and collaboration. It sparks meaningful conversations about diversity and the potential within every child.
The Adventures of Billie BAHA and her Super HEARo friends!. By Jessica Jordan-Hogan
Illustrated by Jacqui C. Smith. Published by J&L Publishing, 2020
The Adventures of Billie BAHA and her Super HEARo friends! Follows Billie, a four-year-old who is hard of hearing due to missing her outer ear, as she shares her experience wearing a BAHA device to hear. She attends a school with other Deaf and hard-of-hearing friends who use different hearing devices or none at all, but they all share the identity of being “SUPER HEARo’s.” Billie’s superpowers are kindness and acceptance, and together they explore communication strategies, self-advocacy, and embracing everyone’s differences.
Boy. By Phil Cummings
Illustrated by Shane Devries. Published by Kane Miller, 2018
Boy is a story about a main character, Boy, who connects with others through sign language, drawings, writing, and emotions. He promotes awareness, acceptance, and community inclusion. When Boy accidentally intervenes in the King’s fight with a dragon, his innocent questioning reveals their true fears. Boy encourages children to appreciate diverse ways of communication and validates individual strengths.
Emma Everyday Series. By C. L. Reid
Illustrated by Elena Aiello. Published by Picture Window Books, 2020
In these beginner chapter books, Emma Carter enjoys swimming, writing, biking, spending time with her pet goldfish, and eating tacos. Simply put, Emma loves life! She is Deaf and uses both a cochlear implant to assist with hearing and sign language to communicate. With each new day, Emma embraces opportunities for fun and tackles everyday challenges with unstoppable energy and a positive attitude. Each books includes American Sign Language (ASL) fingerspelling.
Mighty Mila. By Katie Petruzziello
Illustrated by Nadja Sarell. Published by Mighty Books, LLC, 2021
Mighty Mila follows a deaf girl named Mila as she overcomes challenges, makes friends, and embraces her unique strengths. The story promotes values like resilience, inclusivity, and self-acceptance while offering insight into the d/Deaf community. The book inspires meaningful conversations about celebrating differences and the potential within every child.
Moses Goes to a Concert. By Isaac Millman
Illustrated by Isaac Millman. Published by Square Fish, 2002
In Moses Goes to a Concert, Mr. Samuel takes his class of deaf kindergarteners to a concert, where they experience music in a unique, sensory way. Moses and his classmates use balloons to feel vibrations and discover that the featured soloist, a barefoot deaf percussionist, also feels the music through her feet. After the concert, the children meet the soloist, try her instruments, and ask questions. Moses shares his excitement with his parents in American Sign Language (ASL), dreaming of becoming a percussionist himself. The book features ASL diagrams throughout, emphasizing the message that with determination, anything is possible.
Moses Sees a Play. By Isaac Millman
Illustrated by Isaac Millman. Published by Frances Foster Books, 2004
In Moses Sees a Play, Moses and his classmates attend a performance by the Little Theatre of the Deaf. There, Moses meets Manuel, a new student who doesn’t yet know English or sign language. Understanding how it feels to struggle with communication, Moses uses gestures and begins teaching Manuel simple American Sign Language (ASL signs). This story highlights empathy, inclusion, and the power of connection across language barriers. Featuring ASL diagrams, the book helps readers learn basic signs alongside the characters.
My Deaf Friend Can Do Anything You Can Do. By Tanesha Ausby
Illustrated by Tanesha Ausby. Published by TC Loving Hands, 2020
My Deaf Friend Can Do Anything You Can Do tells the story of a young deaf girl and her hearing friend, addressing common misunderstandings about deafness. The book emphasizes that deaf individuals can accomplish the same things as others, helping to bridge the gap between deaf and hearing communities. It also touches on bullying and fosters empathy. Featuring sign language throughout, it encourages readers to learn sign and embrace diversity with open minds and hearts.
My Family’s Joy: A Celebration of Love, Connection, and Sign Language. By Hanna Ahn
Illustrated by Jenny Han. Published by AVID Language, 2025
My Family’s Joy: A Celebration of Love, Connection, and Sign Language follows six-year-old Lyra as she celebrates her grandmother’s birthday with family—including her baby sister, who is Deaf. Through laughter, delicious food, and the beauty of sign language, Lyra experiences how their differences only make their family bonds stronger and more meaningful.
My Hearing, My Way. By Dr. Stacey Armas
Illustrated by Maham Ali. Published by Little Listeners Publishing, 2023
My Hearing, My Way celebrates children with hearing devices, showing how they personalize their devices to express their individuality. The book teaches valuable lessons about embracing differences and building confidence. It promotes acceptance, encourages consistent hearing aid use, and fosters a positive attitude toward hearing loss.
Sophie’s Tales: Learning to Listen. By Melanie Paticoff
Illustrated by Chrissie Vales. Published by Sophie’s Tales, 2012
Sophie’s Tales: Learning to Listen follows Sophie, a playful puppy, on her journey to receiving a cochlear implant. She visits her ear doctor, has her hearing tested, and tries out hearing aids along the way. Through it all, Sophie discovers that while she may need a little help to hear, her confidence and playful spirit remain just the same! Children are introduced to the topic of hearing loss in an engaging way and can relate this dog’s story with the story of people with hearing loss.
Sophie’s Tales: Overcoming Obstacles. By Melanie Paticoff
Illustrated by Chrissie Vales. Published by Sophie’s Tales, 2012
Sophie’s Tales: Overcoming Obstacles is the second book in the Sophie’s Tales series, featuring a dog with hearing loss who uses a cochlear implant. In this adventure, Sophie takes on the agility course and is excited to make new friends. She meets Champ, a confident Labradoodle who wears glasses and is certain he’ll win the competition. Sophie helps Champ discover that having fun and supporting others can be just as important as winning. Although featuring a dog as the main character, this book is a great way to showcase the experience of humans with hearing loss.
We Deaf-initely Can, Let the Adventures Begin. By Karlie Waldrip
Illustrated by Lucy Rogers. Published by Staten House, 2024
This story is told from the perspective of a deaf dog and is created by a deaf author and illustrator. In We Deaf-initely Can, Let the Adventures Begin, Karlie and Rhett set off on an exciting journey together. Join them as they start the day, dive into fun adventures, and finish with a celebration of courage in trying new things. Experience sign language throughout the story and see how they embrace the joy of exploration. The book also features illustrations of sign language vocabulary plus myths and facts about deaf dogs.