"The Printer" by Myron Uhlberg and Illustrated by Henri Sorensen (Review & Giveaway)

The author writes a realistic story of a child whose father is deaf.  The deaf father works to support the family at the local large-town newspaper as a printer.  Printing presses are very large and very loud machines.  The father is not the only deaf employee working the printing presses.  It is a good job for the deaf since the machines are so loud.  But the deaf can feel the rumbling of the machines vibrating in the floors of the building.

The son is obviously very proud of his father and the fact that his father prints the newspaper.  He describes the hat that his father creates daily out of the day's newsprint.  It is called a four corner hat and all the printers wear them.

The day of the story involves the dad discovering a fire has broken out in the building.  He must alert the others but he can not speak or shout to alert them (this is indicative of many totally deaf because their lack of hearing has impaired their speaking ability).  He "speaks" with his hands to other deaf workers who eventually get the message conveyed along to the hearing workers. 

Much is lost in the building but all escape with their lives. The story is fiction but is based on a real newspaper fire and is written based on experiences of the author's own.  The author Myron Uhlberg is the child of two non-hearing parents.

There are End notes at the end of the book that give insight into the real life of the deaf and the world of printing.  There are even instructions for folding your own four-corner hat out of newspaper.

This story is good for introducing young readers to the world of the deaf individuals with whom they might someday interact.  It will give a foundation of understanding and respect for them as constructive members of society who contribute to the world in which we live.

The illustrations are boldly painted in subtle tones and beautifully illustrate the people, the place, and the pivotal action of the story.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ GIVEAWAY ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The good folks at Peachtree Publishers are providing a copy of The Printer as a giveaway for one of Chat With Vera's readers.  Open to USA readers only.
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Author & Illustrator:  Myron Uhlberg is the author of several picture books. A retired businessman, he lives in California.  Henri Sorensen has illustrated over twenty books for children, including The Yellow Star, The Printer, and Christmas in the Trenches. He is also the author-illustrator of two children's books, New Hope and Your First Step. Sorensen lives in Denmark.

DISCLOSURE: I was provided a complimentary copy of The Printer by Peachtree Publishing on behalf of the author to facilitate an honest review.