Harry Can Hear - by Fynisa Engler

About the Book

"Everyone assumes Harry can't listen like he's supposed to, so it's no surprise that he doesn't respond during the hearing test at school. However, the test reveals it's not that Harry isn't listening, it's that he has trouble hearing. Harry has missed out on so much, but there is hope. Once Harry is fitted with hearing aids, he discovers the joy of all he had been missing out on"--

Book Synopsis

Everyone assumes Harry can't listen like he's supposed to, so it's no surprise that he doesn't respond during the hearing test at school. However, the test reveals it's not that Harry isn't listening, it's that he has trouble hearing. Harry has missed out on so much, but there is hope. Once Harry is fitted with hearing aids, he discovers the joy of all he had been missing out on.

Review Quotes

A book for every collection, offering an upbeat story to educate and inform of differences in hearing ability, a much-needed representation, and how "misbehavior" can be simply another kind of challenge that needs to be addressed. A wonderful little book. -Reviewed by Myiesha Speight School Library Journal

Hearing loss is often referred to as an invisible disability since it is not commonly spoken about and difficult to see. Harry Can Hear helps raise awareness about hearing loss and normalize the use of hearing aids in children. As a hearing healthcare professional, it is great to see literature that informs children about those issues from a young age. - Karla Navarro, Au.D.

Hurray for Fynisa Engler's storytelling abilities. How wonderful to see hearing screenings and hearing device use scripted in a way that makes it matter of fact and, as Harry's sister said, "cool!" His story will appeal to all children who have differences, all children who have peers with differences, and all adults who sometimes need reminders that "behavior" is communicating something. - Patti Sorrow, MA, CCC-SLP Speech Language Pathologist

"For adults looking to give the children in their lives the gift of understanding diverse experiences, Harry Can Hear is a wonderful book to add to their collections. Fynisa Engler tactfully shows how those around Harry were under the mistaken impression that Harry never listened, and the impact that this had on Harry's life. I also loved Engler's decision to explain what a hearing exam involves, making the procedure familiar to any reader who may be about to undergo a similar test, or helping hearing readers understand what hard-of-hearing friends have experienced. I also deeply appreciated how the narrative remained centered on the character with the disability. Milanka Reardon illustrated an expressive and joyful protagonist who is adorable, playful, and exciting to follow from page one. The beautiful pictures, along with language simple enough to be mastered by early readers, make this tale a must-read." -Savannah Aldridge