Ada and the Helpers

My little man is not even 2 yet and he is already SO excited to begin understanding this book. I can't believe how well he sits and listens and follows along even with content that would typically be too much for his age. He gets so excited to go over the alphabet in ASL on each page and he is learning so fast thanks to this book!

Great book

Not only is the book wonderfully illustrated with charming characters that would delight any child, the author does an amazing job of incorporating signing cues throughout to engage consistent learning in a way that is fun, natural, and easy. I especially love the range of companion materials Travis has created to accompany the book. You can tell when an author knows their audience. I can't wait to get the hardcover version with the ASL poster dust jacket as a gift for my Godson!

This is an AMAZING book! What a positive message for all of us. Ada is a deaf fox. When she was a young pup, her parents gave her new ears so she could hear. (They ran on batteries.) WOW! She never knew there were so many sounds. And music! Oh, my! How WONDERFUL! Ada couldn't help but dance, dance, dance! She was so happy! Well, there was one thing that worried her: would everyone make fun of her with her new ears? Her mother decided they'd call them "helpers" instead.As Ada walked toward the talent show where she was going to dance for everyone, she met other animals that needed help. First she helped a mole. Then they helped someday. Then all of them helped someone.... They had learned the joy that comes from helping others. They also learned to encourage and support one another. Just what children need: positive messages about being a good friend and treating others the way you like to be treated (although the last part wasn't stated specifically). I have nothing negative to say about this. I LOVED it!

Delightful book about a girl fox named Ada on her way to dance at a talent show. She has hearing aids and worries that the audience may not cheer for her. She meets and helps friends along the way each one who comes along the way with her.I loved how the author and illustrator wove the spelling of certain key words in sign language throughout the book. Very well done!!

This book is so fantastic-for hearing impaired readers, and ALL readers! I love the sweet rhyme which is paired so lovely with the adorable, soft illustrations! I especially appreciate the kind of book that engages the reader with lessons along the way. Incorporating sign language (specific words throughout the story and the alphabet at the end) is spot on and will help children make connections. Brilliant!

Loved this story, which demonstrated that we all have challenges and deficiencies, but we can overcome them through the help of our community. The sweet illustrations bring the animals to life, and Travis’ story carries the theme and subtle lessons forward. I also love that the American Sign Language is shown throughout the book, as well as the ASL alphabet at the end. Highly recommend for young children.

New children’s books author Travis D. Peterson is from North Carolina and now lives in Norway. He has experience in book sales and in graphic design, having won accolades from the Religion Communications Council for his talent. ADA AND THE HELPERS is his publishing debut – a book inspired by his daughter’s hearing disorder. The illustrations are the art of Melissa Fischer.The rhyming pattern is a charming additive as we meet Ada – ‘Ada is a clever fox who’s learning to dance. She tip-toes, skips, and spins around each time she has the chance.’ Once connected to the cute little fox we learn that Ada is deaf and wears an appliance to hear her dance music. Reflections on her past reveal her discovery of her hearing loss and how her family dealt with it, encouraging Ada to dance and to appreciate her hearing helpers. She dances through her days, encounters nature, including a mole whom she advises to dig a tunnel, a stuttering bird who with Ada’s support learns to sing, and a hissing snake– successful friendship encounters – and Ada is the heroine of the village as they state, “You’ve helped each one of us some how, Now we can help you, too!” - and Ada really dances adoringly!Not only is this a fun story children will love to read (and remember!), but it is also a very fine lesson about the importance of friendship and helping friends. Adding to the impact of the tale is the addition of images of sign language – a really fine early instructive tool for children to appreciate sign language! Very highly recommended. Grady Harp, February 21

I adored everything in this book. It was full of kindness, empathy and a community helping each other.What I loved the most was that the main character represented a diverse character, one who was deaf. Not to give anything away in the story, she follows her heart and with the support of her friends helps others share in her passion.We need more books in children's literature that promotes inclusion and representation. This is one of them.

What a wonderful story about helpful Ada and her special helpers!

A cute story about a girl who uses aids to hear. Lovely illustrations and I like how the sign for certain words (and for the alphabet) is illustrated too: children will enjoy learning these.

I loved this book because it promoted diversity and inclusion. It celebrated differences and other abilities. The story shows children that you have gifts and talents, even when you feel you have difficulties that might prevent you from doing the things you want to.Ada’s parents helped and encouraged her, in turn Ada helped and encouraged those she came into contact with.I particularly enjoyed the sign language on each page; we all had a go at signing the words.