C.I. Quest (paperback version)

Gorgeously illustrated with a lovable cast of farmyard characters brimming with humour and personality, this book is ideal for early learners and early listeners - either for use at home or as a teaching resource for schools, teachers of the deaf, therapists and speech pathologists. The book can be used during or in support of speech and language / auditory verbal therapy sessions to practice a wide range of environmental sounds, to learn animal names and to discuss why different characters react in different ways and feel the way they do.

This is an inclusive children’s book, featuring a main character who is deaf, but it is not specifically about hearing loss – as such, it is a fun, engaging story for any small person. The young farmer in the story has hearing loss but, most importantly, he is just like any other child, having fun on the farm with his animal friends.

Nonetheless some subtle deaf awareness messages are gently integrated into the story, making the book a helpful resource for mainstream teachers educating their pupils about hearing loss. At the same time, the book allows deaf and hard of hearing children who use cochlear implants, hearing aids or other assistive hearing technology to see themselves represented. As the author says, “One thing I have learned as the parent of a deaf child is this: #RepresentationMatters is not just a buzz phrase with no meaning - it really does matter, and it really does make a difference to our children!"