Cece Bell

Cece Bell is an American author and illustrator best known for her engaging children’s books and graphic novels. Born on December 18, 1970, in Richmond, Virginia, she lost much of her hearing at a young age due to illness, an experience that later inspired her acclaimed graphic memoir El Deafo. In this award-winning book, Bell uses humour and vivid illustrations to share what it was like growing up with a hearing impairment, helping readers better understand deafness and identity. El Deafo is based on Bell’s own childhood. She wanted there to be a handbook for hearing people so they knew how to understand and communicate with deaf people without being disrespectful. The project eventually evolved into a graphic novel where children who were deaf could see themselves positively represented in a book. Bell uses the imagery of everyone illustrated as rabbits as a visual metaphor. When she was growing up, she felt like she was the only “rabbit” whose ears didn’t work, in doing so she shows being deaf as a power.

Over the course of her career, she has written and illustrated numerous popular books for young readers, often combining playful storytelling with expressive artwork. Bell has received widespread recognition for her contributions to children’s literature. Bell won the Newbery Medal Honor and Eisner Award for El Deafo. Five of Bell’s books are Junior Library Guild selections: Sock Monkey Rides Again (2007), El Deafo (2014), Rabbit & Robot and Ribbit (2016), Smell My Foot!: Chick and Brain (2019), and Egg or Eyeball? (2020). In 2014, El Deafo was named one of the best books of the year by The Horn Book Magazine, Kirkus Reviews, the Los Angeles Public Library, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal. It was also a New York Times Notable Children’s Book. In 2019, Smell My Foot! was named one of the best books of the year by the Chicago Public Library and School Library Journal.

She has also collaborated with her husband, children’s author Tom Angleberger, on several projects. Through her work, Bell continues to inspire readers with stories that celebrate individuality, resilience, and creativity.