Youth and Family Connections

Welcome to DEAR Week 2024!

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!

RISE Videobook Directory

RISE is a directory of bilingual-bimodal videobooks, all by Deaf native signers, to encourage language acquisition and access to literacy. The directory even features videos in over 30 different sign languages!


Check out the full directory here!

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Mighty Mila Dream Job (2024): Katie Petruzziello

Picture Book

Mila is passionate girl with cochlear implants and she's passionate about so many things! But which passion should she dress up as for career day at school? Follow along as she tries out all the possibilities.

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I Am Extraordinary (2024):

Stephen Curry

Picture Book

Zoe loves soccer and she wants to make the school's team! But she is worried about wearing her hearing aids as she plays. Fortunately, she meets some new friends who use their own experiences to encourage her.

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A Silent Journey (2020):

Carl Watson

Middle Grade

A terrible accident changes Scott's life by making him suddenly Deaf, but he's still very capable - he can sign, lipread, and is an accomplished gymnast. When Scott finds out the secret of the falling out between his father and uncle, he decides to show the world how capable he is by bringing them back together.

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A Sign of Her Own (2024):

Sarah Marsh

Teen Read

Before he invented the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell was Ellen's teacher. Now, as his new technology is spreading, Ellen must be brave and share her story of how Bell betrayed her and his other Deaf students. Dive into intrigue based on real life in this historical fiction novel.

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

Reading and Writing 101

The United Kingdom National Deaf Children's Society has created a 101 page for families to start developing reading and writing skills with their Deaf and Hard of Hearing children. Check out their guide and their specific tips for literacy with ages 0-4 and 5-11.

Literacy Starts Here!

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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