Portraying disability in children’s literature: El Deafo by Cece Bell

Over the past year, my reading list has grown to include a variety of adult graphic novels. However, my recent enrollment in the course on graphic novels by The Children's Book Academy has introduced me to the world of graphic novels designed for kids. This is where I first learned about El Deafo by Cece Bell, which was repeatedly recommended as a powerful graphic novel for children. And because it deals with the protagonist's illness and related challenges, I knew it would be right up my alley.

El Deafo is a graphic novel based on the author's personal experience. At the age of four, Cece lost her hearing due to meningitis, and many aspects of her own experiences have influenced the narrative. However, this is not a graphic novel that focuses solely on the challenge of not being able to hear, but instead takes a unique twist by transforming Cece's hearing impairment into a superpower and her hearing aid into her secret weapon. Throughout the story, we witness Cece's difficulties to make friends at a new school and her eventual discovery of true friendship. The novel not only discusses health issues and how they can make children feel excluded and alone, but it also teaches us how empowering it is to tell our own story and rewrite our own narrative.

One aspect of the book that particularly resonated with me was its simple yet charming art style, brought to life with vibrant colors by David Lasky. The characters, depicted as bunnies with human qualities (bunnies = big ears and great hearing), add an endearing quality to the story. The author concludes with a personal note about what not being able to hear means to her. I found this personal touch to be very moving and much needed in realizing the significance of telling the story for the author.

El Deafo is a fantastic book that demonstrates how those interested in writing about health and disability can transform their book idea into a project for young audiences. It has become a role model for me as I embark on writing my own graphic novel for children featuring a protagonist with a disability. It has shown me how to approach the subject of disability in a lighthearted manner, while still capturing the essence of childhood and portraying kids as kids, beyond their health problems.

The book was so well received that it was adapted into a TV show that premiered on AppleTV+ in 2022. I can’t wait to watch it!