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Back to School: ASL & Deaf Awareness Through Children’s Books
by ASL Picture Books
Welcome, everyone!
Sometimes, all it takes is one book to open a child’s mind to a whole new way of seeing the world.
In one second-grade classroom, an inclusive picture book featuring characters who use American Sign Language (ASL) did more than tell a fun story. It sparked curiosity. Students began asking questions, noticing differences, making connections, and thinking about what it might be like to communicate in another way.
What started as a simple read-aloud grew into something much more meaningful: conversations about Deaf people and hearing differences, moments of compassion and empathy, and a genuine desire to learn ASL.
The students weren’t learning ASL because they were told they had to. They wanted to learn because they thought it was cool.
And that is the power of an inclusive book.
When children see different ways of communicating represented naturally in a story, it can open the door to curiosity, understanding, and connection. A familiar topic can become a bridge to something new—and sometimes, that small connection is all it takes to help children become more aware, compassionate, and eager to learn from one another.
This is the story of how one book helped make that happen.
What Happened in One Second-Grade Classroom?
Second-grade teacher Penny Samp brought My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere with Me - Illustrated with Characters using American Sign Language into her classroom. She expected to read her students a fun story about a boy and his favorite purple monster truck.
But something unexpected happened. The children became fascinated with the ASL incorporated throughout the story. Penny wrote in her review that the book led to wonderful discussions about children with hearing loss, Deaf people, and how people use sign language to communicate.
Her second graders were “so full of wonder and asked so many questions.”
I recommend this book! My Monster Truck Goes Everywhere with Me is such a cute story about a boy and his favorite purple monster truck!
I read it to my 2nd grade class and they were so engaged. This story is unique and unlike any other book that I have read. It led to some great discussions about children with hearing loss and people who are deaf and how they use sign language to communicate.
My 2nd graders were so full of wonder and asked so many questions.
This is a perfect book for children who use ASL or children who are learning about sign language for the first time.
My students loved the story and were fascinated with ASL. My students wanted me to read the book over and over again, so they could try each sign language symbol. I love how the illustrations are brightly colored and demonstrate the ASL!!
This book is ideal for reading aloud for elementary school classes or for families to enjoy at home!! I will definitely share this book with other teachers!
Here are a few reviews from my 2nd graders:
-I love this book because you can learn sign language as you’re reading the story!! It’s so cool!
-It is a cute and fun story to read!
-This book makes me think of my little brother because he loves his monster trucks.
-The illustrations are bright and colorful. The characters’ facial expressions are awesome! They almost seem real.
-I really enjoyed it! You should read this book!
And there it is.
Connection.
A monster truck gave these students something familiar to hold onto while they discovered something new. The ASL in the story sparked their curiosity, but that curiosity opened the door to something much bigger—questions, conversation, empathy, and a desire to learn.
They weren't simply being told to celebrate differences.
They were discovering it for themselves.
Building Awareness and Fostering Understanding
ASL & Deaf Awareness Through Children’s Books
Penny's students show us what can happen when children encounter something new through a story. One book sparked questions. Those questions led to conversations. And those conversations inspired children to want to learn more.
The wonderful thing is that there are many children's books that can help open those same doors.
Consider adding stories featuring Deaf and hard-of-hearing characters, American Sign Language, and different ways of communicating to your
classroom or home library.
The books pictured above are just a few of the many stories and resources that can help bring ASL, Deaf and hard-of-hearing experiences, Deaf culture, and different ways of communicating into children's everyday reading.
Some tell true stories. Some introduce ASL through playful stories and characters. Others explore Deaf history and culture. What they share is an opportunity for children to discover, ask questions, and make connections—just as Penny's students did.
A few to explore include:
The William Hoy Story: How a Deaf Baseball Player Changed the Game by Nancy Churnin
My Name Is Maya by Shay Abigail
The Nita series by Kathy MacMillan
Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion by Shannon Stocker
The Hungry Little Gopher: Featuring American Sign Language by Laura Carolfi
WASH: Winnie's ASL Adventures Series, WASH and LEFT by Deb Myers
How Much Do You Know About... American Sign Language, and Deaf Culture, History, Jokes, and Stories? by Deaf author Becky Gage — because kids love a good joke!
You don't have to turn every story into a lesson. Sometimes the most meaningful thing a teacher or parent can do is simply put an inclusive book into a child's hands, read it together, and follow the child's curiosity.
A question might lead to a conversation. A character might help a child see something from another person's perspective. A few signs learned together might spark an interest in an entirely new language and culture.
That is how awareness begins to grow into understanding.
Want to keep exploring? Visit our Favorite Books collection for more stories celebrating ASL, Deaf and hard-of-hearing characters, Deaf culture, communication, inclusion, and belonging.
Celebrate Deaf Awareness Month Through Stories
This September, six children's authors have come together to celebrate Deaf Awareness Month by sharing stories featuring Deaf and hard-of-hearing characters, ASL, Deaf families, friendship, adventure, and belonging.
Throughout September, readers can receive 20% off all books from each participating author with code DHHBooks.
The books pictured below are just a sampling of their work. Each author has more stories to discover, and the 20% discount applies to all of their books.
It's a wonderful opportunity to add inclusive stories to a classroom, school library, or home bookshelf—and perhaps spark the kind of curiosity Penny saw in her own classroom.
It's a wonderful opportunity to add inclusive stories to a classroom, school library, or home bookshelf—and perhaps spark the kind of curiosity Penny saw in her own classroom.
Ready to explore? Visit each participating author's shop below...
Kathleen Marcath —Visit ASL Picture Books
Katie Petruzziello —Visit Mighty Mila
Hannah Jessen Conway — Visit Hannah's shop
Karlie Waldrip —Visit Rhett the Heeler
Dr. Jasmine Simmons — Visit her book shop
Travis D. Peterson —Visit Travis D. Peterson
One Book Can Open a Door
Penny didn't know exactly where one story would take her second graders. She simply opened a book and began to read.
The children did the rest.
They noticed. They asked questions. They tried the signs. They connected something familiar—a little boy and his monster truck—with a language and community they wanted to know more about.
That's something every one of us can do.
Put inclusive books in classrooms, libraries, and children's hands. Read them together. Then follow their curiosity.
You never know which story will be the one that opens a door.
And we'd love to learn from you, too. Teachers, librarians, parents, and caregivers: what inclusive books have sparked curiosity or meaningful conversations with the children in your life?
Share your favorites with us so we can continue adding great books and resources for other families and educators to discover.
Because sometimes, connection really does begin with just one book.
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