Love Sounds Like

A children’s book about hearing loss and the different ways we experience love

Coming fall 2024

Love is much more than a sound.

We don’t have to experience the world the same way to experience love.

Before young Shepherd removes his cochlear implant processors at night, he asks his mama what love sounds like. Using creative dialogue, they explore not just what love sounds like, but what it smells, feels, tastes, and looks like. Together, they discover that love is not limited to just one sense but rather the sum of all its parts.

Readers of all ages will fall in love with this heartfelt children’s bedtime tale, written in soothing rhyme and featuring a sweet conversation between a hearing mother and her deaf son.

Want to be a part of sharing the love? Join the launch team at the link below and be one of the first to read the book when it comes out this fall!

Join the launch team

The heart behind the story.

In December 2023, my second son Shepherd was born profoundly deaf. One evening as I sang to him, I thought about how he had not yet heard my voice. As a hearing person, this made me sad — at first. But the more we learned about the richness of d/Deaf culture and the more we saw how Shepherd experienced the world, the more we realized that love is by no means limited to hearing the words “I love you.” All it took was his gurgly giggling at the dog, the way his face lit up every time he saw his brother, his fascination with the sun shining through the trees, to show me that love is not confined to one culture, defined by one ability, nor experienced by one sense. Plus, now I get to tell him “I love you” in two languages – English and ASL!

Through this book, I hope to increase the representation of deaf characters in kid lit; encourage other families who have kiddos with hearing loss or who simply experience the world differently from their loved ones; and remind my own two boys that my love for them is beyond anything I could ever describe.

Who is this book for?

Families who have children with hearing loss.

Given that 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents, this story intentionally reflects the reality for many families.

Families who want to add more inclusive literature to their bookshelves.

With three million children in the U.S. alone experiencing hearing loss, this book embraces inclusive storytelling and promotes empowerment and visibility by placing a deaf child at the heart of the story.

Fans of endearing bedtime read-alouds.

This sweet bedtime story features poetic rhyming text, creative descriptions, and dreamy, vibrant illustrations to captivate readers of all ages.

And YOU.

The story’s universal message of love transcending our senses and abilities is a beautiful reminder to all readers that we don’t have to experience the world in the same way to experience love.

Word on the street is…

“Love Sounds Like is a heartfelt and sentimental children’s story that beautifully explores the many ways we experience love through all of our senses. Told in engaging rhyme, it’s a story that will resonate with readers of all ages.

I especially love that the main character is a young boy who is deaf and uses cochlear implants, and that the story shows that love is more than what can be seen, heard, tasted, smelled, or touched—it’s something felt deeply through all the wonderful moments shared with those who love you.”

Katie Petruzziello, author of the award-winning Mighty Mila book series

“This book beautifully captures the essence of love in a way that transcends the five senses, making it accessible and deeply meaningful for all, especially for families with DHH children. As a deaf person, I was honestly so moved by how Hannah explained how love is expressed through sight, touch, and emotion throughout the story. I also loved the signs illustrated in the background and at the end of the book showing the sign for ‘I love you,’ showing that love can be felt and seen, not just heard. It’s a heartwarming reminder that love isn’t confined to a single sense. I believe that this book will bring joy to parents, reassuring them that their voice and children’s voices are expressed in countless, beautiful ways. Loved it and highly recommend it!”

Karlie Waldrip, deaf children’s author of “I Deaf-initely Can, Rhett the Heeler” and “We Deaf-initely Can, Let the Adventures Begin!”

“Hannah Jessen Conway captures the beauty of love in all five senses in her book, Love Sounds Like. Hannah’s book poetically describes the many ways we can receive that love and pass it on to others. It’s a message the youngest generation— whether hearing or not—desperately needs to hear.”

Travis D. Peterson, award-winning author of Ada and the Helpers and parent of a child with cochlear implants

“What does love sound like for a deaf child? Little Shepherd wants to know before bed, and mother and author Hannah Jessen Conway answers his question. One special night, just before taking off his ‘super ears,’ she conveys the answer with all her heart and a few tickles included! The rhymes on each page are delightful, depicting the conversations between mother and son. Love Sounds Like is a beautiful, touching conversation perfect for every child’s bedtime story.”

Kathleen Marcath, children’s book author and founder of ASL Picture Books, L.L.C.

About the Author:
Hannah Jessen Conway.

Hannah Jessen Conway believes words have the power to change the world. With a background in Christian blogging and nonprofit marketing, her desire to publish inclusive children’s literature grew when her second son was born deaf. Her debut picture book is a children’s bedtime story that explores a tender conversation between a hearing mother and her deaf son. Hannah lives in Raleigh, NC, with her husband, two precious sons, and a mischievous rescue mutt. She loves Jesus, historical fiction, and college basketball.

*For author visits, media inquiries, or other questions, please contact Hannah below. Press kit available upon request.

Contact Hannah

About the Illustrator:
Remesh Ram.

Remesh is the co-owner and the Managing Director at Prayan Animation Studio, a top-notch animation and illustration hub in India. With 18+ years of rich experience, he leads Prayan’s creative projects.

Thanks to his skilled leadership, the studio has created countless captivating illustrations for children’s books worldwide. Known for his keen eye for detail and a natural flair for color, Remesh has developed a unique and versatile artistic style that truly sets him apart.