DEAR Week 2023, Day 1: Welcome!

Youth and Family Connections

Welcome to DEAR Week 2023!

Day 1: Let's Read!

DEAR Week encourages Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing kids to get into reading! Every day, YFC will send out an email with literacy resources, ASL storytelling videos, and book recommendations with Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing characters. Let's start conversations about reading, foster a love for books, and drop everything and read!

Reading Beauty

by Deborah Underwood

Read by: Alana Smith

ASL Stories Directory: ASDC

The American Society for Deaf Children has a wonderful directory of ASL stories that you can search by age, title, or topic! They also have coloring pages and activities to go along with some of the stories.

Check out the full directory here!

Five Senses Hearing (2019): Ruth Spiro

Board Book

Learn about how hearing works and the different ways people hear in this colorful board book! Complex topics are made simple with helpful images and short descriptions. Informative, inclusive, and fun!

Just Read (2019)

Lori Degman

Picture Book

Let's start DEAR Week off with a story of the joys and adventures waiting for you in books! They can help you pass the time, learn about others, and explore distant lands. Just Read encourages you to read, whether you read in your head, with your voice, or with your hands.

The Hand Book (2022):

Magda Gargulakova

Middle Grade

Who knew hands could do so much? Learn about hands, how they work, why we have them, and how they have been used throughout history. One great use of hands? Sign language!

Give Me a Sign (2023):

Anna Sortino

Teen Read

When Lilah becomes a camp counselor at a camp for Deaf and Blind kids, she discovers the community she's been missing. As romance blooms between her and another Deaf counselor, Lilah is finally able to come to terms with her struggles to feel "Deaf enough" or "hearing enough" as she finds her own identity.

Deaf Author

Want more recommendations? Check out last year's DEAR newsletters!

Reading and Writing SOS

For hearing families, teachers, and professionals, it may take a bit of extra work to learn the best way to read with Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing children. Dr. Leala Holcomb shares some tips here as part of Reading Rockets' Reading and Writing SOS series. To see the full playlist of answers to questions about fostering literacy for DDBHH children, visit their site!

View Reading Rockets' website here

How Do I, as a Hearing Parent, Read Aloud with My Deaf Child?

Want YFC to read with you?

Youth and Family Connections partners with schools and families to provide READ Days. A Deaf, DeafBlind, or Hard of Hearing adult goes into classrooms to read with students, foster a love for reading, and connect with students as a DDBHH role model. We also give out free books donated by the American Library Association!

Request a READ Day!

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Disclaimer: CHS does not necessarily endorse the content of the recommended books. It is the responsibility of teachers and family members to ascertain the appropriateness of the texts for their readers.

CHSYouth@anixter.org