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Ada and the Helpers
“Be bold! Be brave! Let you be you… and let’s help others, too!"
That’s Ada’s motto.
Ada is a dancing, deaf fox with cochlear implants who loves to help others. On her way to dance in a talent show one day, she meets three creatures who are each facing a physical challenge of their own. She decides to help each of her new friends to see past their challenges and discover their natural, God-given strengths. But can they help her in return? Ada’s a bit nervous about the talent show!
Will she be able to hear the music clearly?
Will everyone laugh at her?
Follow Ada and her new friends on an exciting new adventure! It’s a children’s book at inspires friendship, helping others, inclusivity, and finding your strengths. Plus, your child can learn the ASL alphabet at the same time! The rhyming nature of the story is welcoming for hearing kids, but is especially helpful for young children who are hard-of-hearing.
As an adult, you’ll love the surprise ending that brings all the nostalgic feels for your inner 80’s child!
• Help your child learn and practice the ASL alphabet! This book features 14 words spelled out using the American sign langauge.
• Continue learning to fingerspell the ABCs with the dust jacket that reverses as an ASL alphabet chart poster!
• Introduce your child to three of the ling sounds from the Ling Six Sound Test: a test used to help audiologists, special educators, and parents or hard-of-hearing children assess if the child can hear the full range of vocal sound.
Ada and the Helpers is a beautiful book that your child will want to read again and again. Whether they are deaf or hard-of-hearing and have hearing aids or cochlear implants to help them, or you're looking to introduce sign language to your hearing children, Ada and her friends will be instant favorites in your household or classroom!
That’s Ada’s motto.
Ada is a dancing, deaf fox with cochlear implants who loves to help others. On her way to dance in a talent show one day, she meets three creatures who are each facing a physical challenge of their own. She decides to help each of her new friends to see past their challenges and discover their natural, God-given strengths. But can they help her in return? Ada’s a bit nervous about the talent show!
Will she be able to hear the music clearly?
Will everyone laugh at her?
Follow Ada and her new friends on an exciting new adventure! It’s a children’s book at inspires friendship, helping others, inclusivity, and finding your strengths. Plus, your child can learn the ASL alphabet at the same time! The rhyming nature of the story is welcoming for hearing kids, but is especially helpful for young children who are hard-of-hearing.
As an adult, you’ll love the surprise ending that brings all the nostalgic feels for your inner 80’s child!
• Help your child learn and practice the ASL alphabet! This book features 14 words spelled out using the American sign langauge.
• Continue learning to fingerspell the ABCs with the dust jacket that reverses as an ASL alphabet chart poster!
• Introduce your child to three of the ling sounds from the Ling Six Sound Test: a test used to help audiologists, special educators, and parents or hard-of-hearing children assess if the child can hear the full range of vocal sound.
Ada and the Helpers is a beautiful book that your child will want to read again and again. Whether they are deaf or hard-of-hearing and have hearing aids or cochlear implants to help them, or you're looking to introduce sign language to your hearing children, Ada and her friends will be instant favorites in your household or classroom!
32 pages, Hardcover
Published February 2, 2021
7 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Travis D. Peterson
10 books1 followerTravis D. Peterson is the founder and creative director of Launch Mission Creative, where he coaches indie authors and leads a team specializing in book design. Backed by a Computer Graphics degree from Purdue University and 20+ years of experience in design and self-publishing, plus multiple awards as both a designer and author, Travis helps authors find clarity, gain confidence, and achieve success with uplifting, lifegiving children’s books. Travis and his family have two places on separate continents they call home: Wilmington, North Carolina, USA, and Øygarden, Norway.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 3, 2023
3 stars. I picked this up because I come from a family with chronic hearing issues, and I personally am hard of hearing and considering getting hearing aids. (I also speak sign language). I thought this book could be a great way to introduce hearing aids and other learning issues with kids. The rhyming scheme is pretty good, and the book covers a range of issues (stuttering, eye problems, hearing loss, etc). The description says it “inspires friendship, helping others, inclusivity, and finding your strengths,” all of which is featured in the book. I also like how it taught some ASL. Overall, it wasn’t a great book, and my siblings weren’t nuts about it, but I think it could be useful to spark conversations.
May 7, 2021
Growing up with a disability can be challenging, and author Travis Peterson gently acknowledges that fact in his story, “Ada and the Helpers.”
Ada, the main character, is a fox with a hearing impairment (i.e., deafness) that uses cochlear implants or ‘helpers’ to hear better.
As Ada journeys to her destination, she encounters and befriends three other woodland creatures with differences too.
Along the way, Ada assists her new friends with finding workable solutions to their problems involving sight, speech, and physical ability issues.
When it comes time for Ada to face a predicament of her own, Ada’s three new friends are quick to give her the support and encouragement she needs in return; thus, enabling Ada to confidently push past her fear of being different to then put on a spectacular show.
Ada’s kindness towards others paid off, and the theme of helping others, in general, was consistently reinforced throughout the story.
What an excellent book for children and adults alike!
Ada, the main character, is a fox with a hearing impairment (i.e., deafness) that uses cochlear implants or ‘helpers’ to hear better.
As Ada journeys to her destination, she encounters and befriends three other woodland creatures with differences too.
Along the way, Ada assists her new friends with finding workable solutions to their problems involving sight, speech, and physical ability issues.
When it comes time for Ada to face a predicament of her own, Ada’s three new friends are quick to give her the support and encouragement she needs in return; thus, enabling Ada to confidently push past her fear of being different to then put on a spectacular show.
Ada’s kindness towards others paid off, and the theme of helping others, in general, was consistently reinforced throughout the story.
What an excellent book for children and adults alike!
April 30, 2024
Meet Ada, she is a very clever young fox who loves to "tip-toe, skip, and spin." Her dancing joy is contagious... yet, she has a challenge... she is deaf and uses special hearing devices.
As Ada follows the path to a talent show, she meets various friends that have difficulties with their sight, their speech, or is unable to fly. By the time she reached the talent show... well let's say her new friends were there.
Friendships are not a new topic for picture books, not only is this the sweetest story about various challenges, it is a celebration about unique individual gifts and talents. Every two-page layout has sign language for young readers to learn. Melissa Fischer has created delightful characters with strong personalities portrayed in every detailed illustration.
Please share this "joyful" discovery... there's so much to do... "Let's help others... too!"
MrsK https://mrskbookstogo.blogspot.com/
As Ada follows the path to a talent show, she meets various friends that have difficulties with their sight, their speech, or is unable to fly. By the time she reached the talent show... well let's say her new friends were there.
Friendships are not a new topic for picture books, not only is this the sweetest story about various challenges, it is a celebration about unique individual gifts and talents. Every two-page layout has sign language for young readers to learn. Melissa Fischer has created delightful characters with strong personalities portrayed in every detailed illustration.
Please share this "joyful" discovery... there's so much to do... "Let's help others... too!"
MrsK https://mrskbookstogo.blogspot.com/
June 2, 2021
Travis D. Peterson has created a beautiful rhyming book.
Ada is a young deaf fox who loves to dance. Her parents have given her earpieces so she can hear the music and learn to dance.
As Ada sets out for the talent show, she meets a mole, a finch, and a snake. She helps each one of them, they become friends, and they joined. Will they cheer for her? Will they help her as she helped them?
There are many lessons to be learned in Ada and the Helpers. A few of the themes are helping, encouraging, and friendship.
The author has many activity sheets at the back of the book that will keep boys and girls learning even more about helping others.
The Illustrations are beautiful.
September 20, 2022
Great book of compassion
I wish I could give this book a 100 rating. This book is filled with compassion for those who may struggle in one area but excel in other areas. The soft kind words used as Ada met someone who was struggling gave the feeling that everyone will be okay. One character helps another who needs help. Does all the the help Ada give to others as she solicits others along the way come back to give goodness to her as she is nervous about her new venture? Read it to a classroom to help all children learn compassion and to encourage children to help.
I wish I could give this book a 100 rating. This book is filled with compassion for those who may struggle in one area but excel in other areas. The soft kind words used as Ada met someone who was struggling gave the feeling that everyone will be okay. One character helps another who needs help. Does all the the help Ada give to others as she solicits others along the way come back to give goodness to her as she is nervous about her new venture? Read it to a classroom to help all children learn compassion and to encourage children to help.
March 21, 2023
My girls have read this book every night since we purchased! The book follows a fox who is deaf on her journey to a talent show! With the use of her “helpers” (hearing aids or cochlear implants) she is better able to hear and helps new friends along the way, who also have unique differences! A great way to introduce children to disabilities/differences that they may not have encountered yet! My kids especially loved practicing the ASL word on each page and having the full alphabet at the end of the book!
September 20, 2022
Wonderful story about community
Loved this story, which demonstrated that we all have challenges and deficiencies, but we can overcome them through the help of our community. The sweet illustrations bring the animals to life, and Travis’ story carries the theme and subtle lessons forward. I also love that the American Sign Language is shown throughout the book, as well as the ASL alphabet at the end. Highly recommend for young children.
Loved this story, which demonstrated that we all have challenges and deficiencies, but we can overcome them through the help of our community. The sweet illustrations bring the animals to life, and Travis’ story carries the theme and subtle lessons forward. I also love that the American Sign Language is shown throughout the book, as well as the ASL alphabet at the end. Highly recommend for young children.
October 1, 2022
Ada and the Helpers
Delightful book about a girl fox named Ada on her way to dance at a talent show. She has hearing aids and worries that the audience may not cheer for her. She meets and helps friends along the way each one who comes along the way with her.
I loved how the author and illustrator wove the spelling of certain key words in sign language throughout the book. Very well done!!
Delightful book about a girl fox named Ada on her way to dance at a talent show. She has hearing aids and worries that the audience may not cheer for her. She meets and helps friends along the way each one who comes along the way with her.
I loved how the author and illustrator wove the spelling of certain key words in sign language throughout the book. Very well done!!
November 27, 2022
This book shows a variety of animals with issues, physical and emotional. Ada has hearing issues but her parents see that she has help with hearing aids. Ada meets a bunch of peers and helps each one deal with their particular problems. By helping others she earns their help and respect in her dance recital.
Words are signed on some pages which is a learning tool. Ada's helpers are her friends and her hearing aids.
A good message with endearing illustrations.
Words are signed on some pages which is a learning tool. Ada's helpers are her friends and her hearing aids.
A good message with endearing illustrations.
July 24, 2025
Ada and the Helpers is a heartwarming story that celebrates kindness, community, and embracing differences. Travis D. Peterson does a beautiful job of highlighting Ada’s hearing loss in a way that feels empowering and inspiring. The illustrations are gentle and engaging, and I loved the ASL touches woven throughout the book. A sweet, inclusive read that encourages kids to support one another—such a gem!
March 7, 2021
Beautiful, amazing story about friendship
What a lovely book following a young hearing impaired fox on her adventure though the forest making friends on her way to a talent show. The ASL words are a great interactive read aloud feature. We love books that showcase differently abled friends and I can't wait to buy this for my school's library!
What a lovely book following a young hearing impaired fox on her adventure though the forest making friends on her way to a talent show. The ASL words are a great interactive read aloud feature. We love books that showcase differently abled friends and I can't wait to buy this for my school's library!
September 21, 2022
Amazing book.
A cute story about a girl who uses aids to hear. Lovely illustrations and I like how the sign for certain word. Lovely illustrations. What i love is like sign words in each page. Very helpful book.
A cute story about a girl who uses aids to hear. Lovely illustrations and I like how the sign for certain word. Lovely illustrations. What i love is like sign words in each page. Very helpful book.
July 22, 2022
Cute book
I read this to my youngest just now and love how the author put in ASL throughout the book. Very cute story about helping others.
I read this to my youngest just now and love how the author put in ASL throughout the book. Very cute story about helping others.
March 29, 2025
This was a cute story. On each page there is a word shown how to sign using the sign Alphabet, and my kids had fun trying each word out. Ada is also my daughters name.
May 10, 2024
It is a sweet book about helping others. Ada is very kind and helpful. I wish there were more books about deaf kids without CI or hearing aids. They do exist! Are there any deaf culture books?
July 26, 2024
Naprosto rozkošný příběh a nádherný ilustrace
Knížka je doplněná o prstovou abecedu, na každé dvoustraně je vyznakováno jedno důležité slovo.
Na konci se nachází celá americká prstová abeceda.
Děti si z příběhu odnášejí, jak moc důležité je pomáhat druhým a nezvádat se svých snů a zájmů.
Postavy jsou zvířátka, hlavní postava nosí sluchadla a ráda tančí a poslouchá hudbu.
Text je napsán tak, aby se rýmoval. Hned na začátku je zjednodušeně popsáno, co to sluchadla jsou.
Knížka je doplněná o prstovou abecedu, na každé dvoustraně je vyznakováno jedno důležité slovo.
Na konci se nachází celá americká prstová abeceda.
Děti si z příběhu odnášejí, jak moc důležité je pomáhat druhým a nezvádat se svých snů a zájmů.
Postavy jsou zvířátka, hlavní postava nosí sluchadla a ráda tančí a poslouchá hudbu.
Text je napsán tak, aby se rýmoval. Hned na začátku je zjednodušeně popsáno, co to sluchadla jsou.
January 4, 2023
Lovely story and illustrations! I enjoyed the addition of some vocabulary in sign language - such a fun way to encourage the use of and support the learning of sign language.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews