Author brings books, smiles to children at Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind in Ogden
Dec 6, 2021, 5:00 AM
About 30 deaf children got a visit from a children's book author Laura Blum on Friday, who 'signed' some of her books at Ogden's Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind. Photo courtesy of USDB
(Ogden, UT) — Some deaf and hard-of-hearing children get the gift of donated books this holiday season – thanks in part to author Laura Blum. Around 30 children at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind got a visit from Blum, who not only is an author but a sign language interpreter, ‘signing’ her books at Friday’s event.
Blum brought with her some books to donate, books that include Colorful Ocean, Sweet Baby and Fruits and Vegetables. Blum says she got the idea to write a book for deaf children after hearing from parents and educators that there was a strong need for books with ASL (American Sign Language).
“We created books that are simple to sign, and they rhyme when you sign them in sign language,” says Blum.
Blum uses a deaf illustrator with Utah ties for her book ‘Colorful Ocean.’ Larry Laskowski is a member and former president of Southern Utah Watercolor Society.
Parent Infant Program Director Stephanie Morgan says ninety percent of parents who have a child who is deaf are not deaf themselves, many of them are new to sign language.
The Parent Infant Program at USDB helps little ones from birth to age 3 who are deaf or blind to ensure they get the specialized education needed so they will hit the ground running when it is time for them to attend preschool and kindergarten.
Donations to the USDB Education Foundation can be made at http://www.usdbfoundation.org
