LeoNora M. Cohen

Bilingual children’s books in English and Spanish are written to benefit not-for-profit

organizations in San Miguel de Allende that help children in the greater community. 

I'm Not Just a Deaf Kid

This story is about Samuel, a deaf boy growing up in rural Mexico, his challenges and his courage. He wants so much to be accepted by hearing kids, but he is ignored in his rural school and can't get kids to play with him. Finally, he goes to a school for deaf children where he learns sign language and Spanish.

The story begins with his family’s experience with a deaf child. Although Samuel’s mother is aware of the challenges he faces, she does not allow him to feel sorry for himself, so when he is frustrated, he helps her by sweeping or scrubbing. The story focuses on developing his strengths and talents. Samuel is an artist and also loves to play soccer with his sister. After he attends the school for the deaf, he gains confidence and dares to enter the world of the hearing.

I'm Not Just a Deaf Kid is bilingual, English and Spanish, to encourage young people to learn both languages. It includes the signing alphabets of both American Sign Language (ASL) and Lenguaje de Señas Mexicanas (LSM), so readers can try making these letters (some are the same, others different), as well as photos of children using hand signs for some common words in both languages.

The artist, Jesús Antonio Ramírez Vázquez, is an excellent student at Escuela Especial de Educación de San Miguel de Allende (EEESMA), the school for the deaf. He is very much like the character in the story. His illustrations bring the story to life and are rich in detail.

The book was designed by Alma Lucero Martínez Salazar, a recent college graduate very talented in graphic design and communications. I was her mentor in Jovenes Adelante, which gave her a prestigious scholarship.

All royalties from this story benefit EEESMA, the school for the deaf in San Miguel. This school makes a huge difference in the lives of deaf children and prepares them for work in the hearing world. The story helps hearing children develop empathy for those who are deaf and perhaps use the alphabets and simple signs to communicate. It gives voice to students who cannot hear and encourages them to develop their talents. The story is written for upper elementary age children, grades 3-6.



About the Artist: Jesús Antonio Ramírez Vázquez

Jesús Antonio Ramírez Vázquez is 19 years old and is an excellent student

at EEESMA. He has completed middle school and is now focused on continuing to learn Spanish as his second language. His desire is to

continue studying in high school, becoming more skilled like he is now

doing in the carpentry workshop, where his has demonstrated great ability

in wood working. He loves to investigate and learn new things all the time.

He is very good at technology. In his free time, he likes to draw and express his ideas on paper.