MY FAMILY'S JOY: A Celebration of Love, Connection, and Sign Language

How can a family’s differences make every moment more joyful?

Join six-year-old Lyra as she celebrates her grandmother’s birthday with family—including her baby sister, who is Deaf. Through laughter, delicious food, and the beauty of sign language, Lyra experiences how their differences only make their family bonds stronger and more meaningful.

Sympathetically written by former teacher of the Deaf, now children’s librarian, Hanna Ahn, and with charming artworks by Jenny Han (who draws on her own experience as a member of the Deaf community), MY FAMILY’S JOY is an endearing celebration of family, connection, and the joy of communication. This story full of love invites readers into the world of the Deaf community but also offers a mirror for those with similar families, revealing how love and connection can be found in many forms.

Sensory-rich and filled with vibrant illustrations, this beautiful little book not only celebrates Deaf culture but also fosters inclusivity and empathy. With its affirming message, MY FAMILY’S JOY will resonate with young readers and families alike, offering a beautiful reminder of the importance of love, acceptance, and communication.

Educators and parents will find this book a valuable tool for initiating important conversations about diversity, language, and the power of family connection.

The book ends with a fun “look and find” challenge, and some handy prompts for age-appropriate discussion questions.

And don’t miss the American Sign Language version, free to view on the AVID Language website! The story is signed in ASL by the book’s own illustrator!

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Author's Note: Why I wrote MY FAMILY'S JOY:

This story grew out of two lifelong truths: my deep love for picturebooks and my deep respect for Deaf Culture. In my twenties, I helped establish a small school for the Deaf near Boston, where I taught kindergarten. That experience shaped the way I think about learning, identity, family, and communication.

I’ve always believed that stories should reflect the full range of human experience, especially the lives of children who aren’t often centred. It was important to me that this story reflect Deaf Culture authentically and visually, so I’m especially proud that the illustrator is Deaf herself. Her vision brings emotional nuance and cultural truths to the page in a way that I could never achieve alone.

This book is, in many ways, a bridge - between siblings, between cultures, between ways of hearing and being heard. I hope it sparks conversations, connections, and maybe even a little curiosity about the many different ways we listen to one another.

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MY FAMILY’S JOY is ideal for:

• Children who like stories with relatable characters
• Parents interested in teaching their children about diversity and gratitude
• Readers who love losing themselves in immersive picture book art
• Readers looking for a modern classic picture book
• Educators and librarians looking for an engaging read-aloud

Hanna Ahn began her career as a teacher of the Deaf using American Sign Language in Boston, Massachusetts, and is currently a children's librarian specializing in early literacy and picture books in Vancouver, British Columbia. Through her work and experiences in the Deaf community, she has seen the joy that comes from connection, affirmation, and being oneself. She writes to celebrate those everyday moments and the richness of Deaf culture.