LET'S HEAR IT FOR ALMIGAL

by Wendy Kupfer illustrated by Tammie Lyon ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 16, 2012

An exuberant, cotton-candy pink introduction to hearing loss and cochlear implants for ages 5 and up.

Little Almigal’s hearing loss doesn’t get much better with hearing aids. While Ali’s friend Penelope, whose hearing aids work for her, uses both her voice and signs to communicate, Almigal only knows a word or two of sign language, so she’s frustrated at missing out on the sounds in her world. She declares that she needs “to hear every single sound in the whole entire universe!”—especially her parents saying “We love you Almigal” when she’s in bed and not wearing her hearing aids. Her doctor suggests cochlear implants to improve her hearing, and Almigal is all for it. The book gently covers Almigal’s trip to the hospital for the operation and the importance of handling the implants carefully, as displayed in episodes where Almigal fails to treat the implants properly, thus learning how important that care can be. The implants successfully help Almigal hear all the things she’d been missing. Although the story skips the controversy surrounding cochlear implants and their place in the deaf community, the cheerful inclusiveness will be a welcome introduction for children. Kupfer—whose own daughter, Ali, was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at 10 months of age—celebrates uniqueness, while the delightful, full-page illustrations show the lively heroine and her friends and family enjoying their differences. Almigal considers herself to be the luckiest girl in the world. “Do you want to know why?” she asks. “Because I have so many friends and each one is different.”

The charming story of a brave child’s decision to make her life better.

Pub Date: April 16, 2012

ISBN: 978-0983829409

Page Count: 32

Publisher: CreateSpace

Review Posted Online: Nov. 6, 2012

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 2013

Review Program: Kirkus Indie