Written by: Jenn Welby Gilbert
Little Listeners is a collection of heartfelt picture books inspired by real children and the experiences that make each of them unique.
Created with input from children, their families, and professionals connected to each story, the books explore differences, challenges, strengths, and the many ways children learn to find their voices. Through relatable characters and meaningful stories, young readers are encouraged to build empathy, ask questions, and better understand themselves and others.
Each book is supported by additional resources designed to help families and educators continue the conversation beyond the final page.
Because every child deserves to feel seen, understood, and heard.
Meet Our Incredible Students and their stories:
Meet Joey!
The Little Listeners: A Story About My Hearing Aids
In The Little Listeners: A Story About My Hearing Aids, Joey becomes the special teacher for the day and invites her classmates to learn more about the hearing aids she has worn since she was a baby.
With her rainbow purse, purple hearing-aid case, and plenty of confidence, Joey explains how her hearing aids help her catch sounds her ears might otherwise miss. As her friends ask thoughtful questions and share their own experiences, the class discovers that curiosity can build understanding—and that the things that make us different can also bring us closer together.
A warm story about hearing loss, self-advocacy, belonging, and the power of asking questions with kindness.
Meet Jameson
Meet Jameson “Jack”
The Little Listeners: A Story About My Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome
In Jack’s Little Listeners: A Story About Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome, Jack wakes in the night with a feeling he knows all too well. His body is giving him clues that another CVS episode may be beginning.
Jack has learned to notice those clues, trust what his body is telling him, and ask for help. With his family and medical team beside him, he follows the care plan that helps him feel safe—even when it includes hospital visits, monitors, medicines, and tests.
When Jack shares his experience with his classmates, they learn that some illnesses come in cycles and cannot always be seen from the outside. Most importantly, they discover that children can become experts in their own care by listening to their bodies, speaking up, and trusting their team.
A reassuring story about Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome, self-advocacy, medical experiences, and the strength that comes from knowing you are never facing them alone.
