El Deafo: A Graphic Novel

Three of the best children’s books of 2014 are autobiographical including THE SCRAPS BOOK and BROWN GIRL DREAMING. EL DEAFO is at the top of my list. Feature all three in your library and encourage youth to write their own stories.EL DEAFO by Cece Bell is a powerful graphic memoir focusing on the frustration of growing up with a hearing impairment. While Cece’s story highlights the embarrassment and loneliness of deafness experienced by many children, the universal themes of friendship and acceptance are at the core of this unforgettable story.The author’s warm and honest approach to storytelling contribute to it’s appeal. Cece’s “listener for all” alter-ego El Deafo is wonderfully drawn in sequences placed in green bubbles to separate them from reality.Besides the exceptional storyline, what makes EL DEAFO so magnificent is the graphic memoir format. Many students who might overlook the traditional autobiographical format will embrace the simple, well-drawn, visually-rich approach.Librarians who grew up in the 60s-70s will enjoy her spot-on references to everything from Batman and John-Boy to Hostess Cherry Pies and sleep-overs. You may even be moved to sing Yellow Submarine.Having experienced hearing loss as an adult due to an illness, I can empathize with Cece’s frustrations. Like Cece, my problem isn’t with volume, it’s clarity of sound. Her book does an outstanding job educating readers about how to interact with a person with hearing loss. These small informative details make this much more than your typical graphic memoir.To learn more about Geisel honor book winner Cece Bell, go to her website at https://cecebell.wordpress.com/.

Adorable graphic novel! I loved how there was a balance between CeCe dealing with issues relating to her disability (ie. her hearing aids breaking, learning to lip read, etc.) and her dealing with issues that every kid might go through (ie. dealing with a friend who is too pushy, having a crush, etc.). Made the character very realistic and relatable. Great read for both kids and adults!

It is a spectacular reading, very emotional, I loved it, I hope this book reaches many children who must learn about diversity or want to feel identified.

I liked the one. It definitely reads a bit young, since your following the main character as she grows. But I really liked the characters and I liked the art style. This was a lot of fun.

My nine-year-old daughter is in love with graphic novels for girls right now. She is an excellent reader but she is not interested in books written in any other format right now! I bought my little girl this book because I work with people with various disabilities.While I feel like my daughter has a certain degree of awareness of people's differences, barriers, and abilities because of my job, there is nothing like an autobiographical perspective to teach her about the real-life experiences of someone who deals with a barrier such as a hearing impairment. Cece is real, easy to relate to, funny, and struggles with all of the same things that all little girls do, but on top of that, she has to cope with trying to fit in despite her assistive devices and feeling so different. My daughter cried several times while reading this book because she empathized with Cece and felt like she knew her. She has now read "El Deafo" four times and is reading it to me as well when we are in the car together. This is a wonderful book that helps with children's awareness of disabilities and lets them know that persons with barriers are the same as they are. Cece's story gives kids insight into what it is like to grow up with a hearing impairment and includes awareness of how you should (and should not!) treat people with disabilities. This is awesome for kids to learn and I wish more adults were more aware of these things as well!! I love this book and I know my little girl will continue reading it again and again. Bravo!!!

The media could not be loaded. Will definetly teach! Cece is a 4y/o up to 10y/o that is so honest and wild thinking. Is raw but fun to read from beginning to the end with her friendship happy ending. Cece deserves the world and I wish my students could meet her after reading this book. Buy!

I loved this book. I bought it for my seven-year old daughter because I am always looking for books that help her see other points of view. She tore through it in the first day. This is what I love about this book:1) It explores in realistic details the ups and downs of the life of a little girl as she grows up from kindergarten to the end of elementary school. It is not a sugar-coated fairy tale. The girl makes mistakes like we all do, wins and loses friends, has a crush, etc. It is all described in a way that kids should be able to relate to.2) It deals with her deafness straight on. The book starts out in pretty traumatic fashion showing the confusion and pain the girl goes through when she gets ill, goes to the hospital and eventually falls deaf. It then goes on to explain the hearing aids she uses, how they work, how she lives with them and how they impact her reality. It also explores lip reading and sign language.3) Adults are shown to be regular people, too. Moms get together and chat and smoke. The gym teacher is a brute who breaks things. During classroom breaks the teacher complains to other teachers about her students.Over all, a refreshingly different and realistic book that explores in depth the challenges faced by a girl who goes deaf. A great read and great material for a young mind to ponder.

This is a great and fast read for students, teachers, parents and everyone in between. Wonderful insight that is appealing to readers about disability and isolation. In the end, all just want to be included and that running theme is universal.

Daughter loved this show on Apple tv, and has watched it over and over. She was so excited to have the book as well, also has read it repeatedly. She is a fully hearing child but just loves this story so much.

Wow! Es una gran historia de inclusión y amor. Cada capítulo es una hermosa lección de vida. Súper recomendable para todas las edades. Está en inglés, pero el vocabulario no es complicado. Es una gran opción para compartir en familia.

My 7-year old keeps going back to the book asking me to reread again and again.It is amazing that we can equally enjoy a work of art together.

I loved this book!! I really wish for a Brazilian Portuguese version to our kids! The author’s sensibility and ability to share her childhood like a kid with hearing loss is amazing!

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