“We are less when we don’t include everyone.” – Stuart Milk
Hearing With Your Heart
CODA (the acronym stands for child of deaf adults) is a quietly powerful and emotionally authentic film, telling the story of Ruby, the only hearing member of a deaf family in a small Massachusetts fishing town. In this coming-of-age story, Ruby discovers a passion for singing that threatens to pull her away from the people she loves most. We see this family with real bonds and trials of their own, both unique and universal just like any other family. Ruby’s singing reveals the distinctiveness of those everyday battles. During one incredible scene, all sound vanishes while Ruby sings on stage before her classmates and family, making us witness her singing from the point of view of the non-hearing. This film beautifully depicts the boundless love in this family and brings us closer to seeing their world from multiple perspectives.
Starring Emilia Jones in a breakthrough performance, the film balances humor, heartbreak, and an extraordinary celebration of both the hearing and deaf communities with a grace that feels completely effortless. The film broke barriers by having all the deaf characters played by deaf actors, which lent an authenticity that leapt off the screen. Written and directed by Sian Heder, CODA made history at the 2022 Academy Awards. It received three Oscar nominations (best picture, best supporting actor, and best adapted screenplay) and won all three! Troy Kotsur won Best Supporting Actor and became the first deaf man to win an acting Oscar.
You can see a trailer for the film and watch it on various streaming platforms. Recommended for mature teens (PG-13) and above.
Reading Corner
Title: Hands and Hearts
By: Donna Jo Napoli
Ages: 5-7
A mother and daughter spend a sunny day at the beach together where they swim, dance, build sandcastles, and, most importantly, communicate. But their communication is not spoken; rather, it is created by loving hands that use American Sign Language.
Readers will learn how to sign 15 words using American Sign Language with the help of sidebars that are both instructive and playful. And the beautifully illustrated beach scenes will appeal both to the deaf community and to hearing parents and children, who will enjoy this gentle introduction to some basic words in ASL. Hands & Hearts is a picture book unlike any other, revealing the special bond between mother and child.
Enjoy this read aloud video with your child.
Recommended by Kindful Editors
