Tag: Cece Bell

Posted in Award Winners, Easy Readers, So Many Good Books

Chick and Brain: Smell My Foot!

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

Chick and Brain: Smell My Foot! (Candlewick Press, 2019) written and illustrated by Cece Bell is a hilarious book. It’s also a 2020 Theodore Seuss Geisel Honor Book.

Brain is not as smart as he thinks he is. Chick is trying to teach manners. It’s not going well. Then Spot comes along and even more trouble ensues.

This book is divided into four chapters–Foot, Spot, Lunch, and Other Foot. Kids will really enjoy figuring out things before the characters do. So much better than Dick and Jane. (Read the back of the book to get this reference.)

A sequel Chick and Brain: Egg or Eyeball that came out in March looks funny too.

Cece Bell is the 2015 Newbery Honor winner of the graphic novel El Deafo. Read about her other books here. And you have to check out her studio here. You may also want to read her bio.

Posted in Award Winners, So Many Good Books

El Deafo

Posted on by Susan Uhlig

ElDeafoI loved the graphic novel El Deafo (Amulet Books, 2014) by Cece Bell. Based on her own childhood, four-year-old Cece becomes ill and loses her hearing. The story outlines kindergarten through fifth grade showing Cece’s struggles and accomplishments. I can relate to Cece’s shyness as a child, and felt so sympathetic for her and rejoiced when . . . well, I don’t want to spoil the end if you haven’t read it. Here’s a book trailer with Cece herself talking about El Deafo.
I believe this story is important for kids to read to not only help them understand better how to deal with someone who is hearing impaired, but to learn that differences can be “superpowers” as Cece says. I’m not the only one who thinks it is important as the book is a 2015 Newbery Honor book! On the publisher’s site you can read all kinds of great reviews. Here’s an article about Cece and how she made the book, too.
Author/Illustrator Cece Bell has written and illustrated other books. See details here.