2027 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 22-24, 2027 • Bellevue, WA
3/14/2022 | 1:15 PM - 1:45 PM | Representation in Children's Literature: Why It Matters | Room 8
Representation in Children's Literature: Why It Matters
In addition to language and literacy, a child’s social, emotional and mental health is formed and influenced by what they observe and absorb from picture books. When it comes to children’s literature, the demand for diverse characters, cultures and customs has grown over the last 20 years, and this has resulted in more books featuring children who are D/deaf and hard of hearing. In this presentation, parent-authors Valerie James Abbott and Katie Petruzziello, and Teacher of the Deaf - author Ashley Machovec, will explore different examples of D/HH representation from stories published over the last 5-7 years, including those that include characters that use hearing technology and/or sign language. Ms. Machovec will describe ways in which parents and professionals can observe how children connect with inclusive books and expand their learning opportunities. Mrs. Petruzziello and Mrs. Abbott will also discuss how illustrations can impact a child’s comprehension and interpretation of the text, and how these images serve as both a mirror and a window for current and future generations of young readers.
- Describe how and why illustrations impact a child’s understanding and interpretation of a story
- Identify recently published books that include or feature characters who are deaf or hard of hearing
- Explain the benefits of using inclusive literature when children are acquiring language, building comprehension skills, and developing self awareness.
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Presenters/Authors
Ashley Machovec
(Primary Presenter,Co-Presenter,Author,Co-Author), Listening Partners Inc, ashleymachovec@gmail.com;
Ashley Machovec is an itinerant teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing in Purchase, NY. She received her Master's Degree from Teacher's College at Columbia Univ., where her interest in working with families and children with hearing loss grew into a true passion. When she noticed a lack of representation in children's books for the hearing loss community she wrote and published Mila Gets Her Super Ears in 2020.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
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Nonfinancial -
Valerie Abbott
(Co-Presenter,Author,Co-Author), Padapillo PBLLC, valeriejamesabbott@gmail.com;
Valerie James Abbott is a parent-advocate, researcher, author, and champion for EHDI. In addition to serving as past chair of the Virginia EHDI Advisory Committee, she brings years of hands-on experience supporting families of infants and young children with hearing loss, developmental delays, and other disabilities through her work in early intervention and family support/engagement. She is a past board member of Virginia Hands & Voices and is co-founder of the National Late Onset Hearing Loss Awareness Campaign.
Valerie's writing on parenting and the topic of early childhood hearing loss has appeared in national outlets, including online publications and podcasts. She is the author of two published books on early childhood hearing loss, including Late to the Party: Extraordinary Stories of Hope After Late-Identified Hearing Loss, published in 2026 (KWE Publishing).
In partnership with the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind and the Lions Clubs of Virginia, Valerie helped launch a large-scale preschool hearing health outreach initiative — work that has drawn significant interest from Lions Clubs across the U.S. and internationally.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Salary for Employment from Henrico Area Infant & Toddler Connection.
• Receives Royalty options or other ownership interest for Ownership from Padapillo PBLLC.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with Padapillo PBLLC (Owner)
Henrico Area Infant & Toddler Connection (Employer)
Virginia EHDI Advisory Committee (member)
UCSF PCORI Preschool Hearing Screening Study Advisory Committee (member).
Nature: Author of Padapillo, Padapillo (Edición en español), and Late To The Party: Extraordinary Stories of Hope After Late-Identified Hearing Loss
I am employed by Henrico Area Infant & Toddler Connection where I receive a salary.
I serve on two advisory committees, no financial compensation. .
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
Katie Petruzziello
(Co-Presenter,Co-Author), Mighty Books, LLC, mightymilabook@gmail.com;
Katie is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Project Management Professional (PMP) who lives in New York with her husband and three wonderful (and very feisty!) children. She received her bachelors degree from Villanova University. She is an advocate for deaf and hard of hearing children and spends most nights devoted to further her mission of providing representation and awareness of children with hearing loss, like her strong unstoppable daughter, Mila. She wrote and published Mighty Mila in 2021.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
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Nonfinancial -
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Nonfinancial -