Harry Can Hear

PreS-Gr 1–Harry seems to never listen when his mom calls him home to dinner or when the teachers ask him to answer a question. He turns the television up too loud, much to his sister’s dismay. He misses out on having sprinkles on his ice cream because he doesn’t hear the waiter ask. One day, his class goes to the nurse to get their hearing checked. Harry needs hearing aids to help him hear better! He can hear when people talk to him. He can hear everything. What a service this picture book does in bringing attention to hearing loss in children and how hearing aids can help. It’s an excellent example of representation for the hard of hearing, whether mild or profound. Harry doesn’t feel weird or self-conscious about his hearing aids; they’re seen as something cool and necessary. Harry’s a charmer; the colorful and detailed illustrations add to the positive, lighthearted tone.