FAITH NEWS SERVICE – Children who belong to the deaf community still have to look long and hard to find deaf characters depicted in picture books. When deaf characters are included, the focus is often on a struggle related to them being part of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
Since these are rarely conflicts or obstacles their peers without hearing loss would ever encounter, these representations may not be seen as positive.
A new book release for children ages four to eight, God Made (with American Sign Language), by Ayorkor Adjei (Redemption Press), tells the story of creation with both free verse and American Sign Language. The main character, a little girl who is part of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, shares the story as it has been passed down in her family.
Using gentle, lyrical wording, she shows how God spoke the world and everything upon it into existence. But this story doesn’t come to an end on God’s day of rest; instead, readers are reminded of God’s kindness and encouraged to find this kindness within themselves.
The author’s own experiences inspired her to tell the familiar story of creation in a way that would be accessible to a broader audience. Ayorkor Adjei, who is a sibling of a deaf adult, says, “I want deaf and hard-of-hearing children to be able to have a language at a young age. During my research I found a lot of dictionaries to teach sign language, but teaching sign language through story is a unique way for children to learn and engage with the story because they will be able to see the picture[s], the words in English, and the words in ASL.”
This biblically sound version of the creation account helps younger readers see that they, too, are one of God’s wonderful creations.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Ayorkor Adjei grew up learning American Sign Language from her brother, who is Deaf. She has a BA in Early Childhood Education from the University of Maryland College Park. While getting her MA in Special Education / Deaf and Hard of Hearing, she also completed the Interpreters Training Program at California State University of Northridge. After working as an interpreter for a few years, she completed master’s degrees in Christian Education and Media Arts and Worship at Dallas Theological Seminary. She has been Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. (RID) certified since 2008 with interpreting skills in various settings. In her spare time, she loves scrapbooking, playing Solitaire, and listening to audiobooks.
For interviews, contact ayorkor@shineandsignforchrist.com
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