Cece Bell facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cece Bell
Bell in 2024
Born	(1970-12-26) December 26, 1970 (age 54) Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
Occupation	Writer, cartoonist, illustrator
Education	Paier College of Art
Genre	Children's literature
Years active	1991–present
Spouse	Tom Angleberger
Children	2

Cecelia Carolina Bell (born December 26, 1970) is an American author, cartoonist, and illustrator. She is best known for her amazing graphic novel El Deafo. Cece Bell's work has appeared in many popular magazines and newspapers. These include The Atlantic, Newsweek, and the Los Angeles Times.

Cece Bell's Life Story

When Cece Bell was a child, she lost her hearing because of an illness called meningitis. This meant she had to learn to use special hearing devices. These devices were big and noticeable when she was at school.

Cece loved art! She studied art at the Paier College of Art. Later, she earned a degree in illustration and design from Kent State University in 1991. For a while, she worked as a freelance artist. She created illustrations and designs for many different projects. Eventually, she became a full-time author and illustrator, creating her own books.

Cece Bell's Creative Work

All About El Deafo

The graphic novel El Deafo is based on Cece Bell's own childhood experiences. She first wanted to create a guide for hearing people. This guide would help them understand and talk to deaf people respectfully.

The project then grew into a graphic novel. It became a way for deaf children to see themselves as strong and positive characters in a book.

In El Deafo, Cece draws everyone as rabbits. This is a special way to show how she felt different growing up. She felt like she was the only "rabbit" whose ears didn't work. Through this, she shows that being deaf can be a special power. She also teaches that being deaf is not a negative thing.

The title El Deafo comes from how Cece felt. With her Phonic Ear, a special hearing aid she used at school, she felt powerful. It made her feel like a superhero!

Cece Bell's Family Life

Cece Bell is married to Tom Angleberger, who is also a children's author.

Cece Bell at the 2019 National Book Festival.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Cece Bell has won many awards for her books. She received a Newbery Medal Honor and an Eisner Award for El Deafo.

Several of her books have been chosen as Junior Library Guild selections. These include Sock Monkey Rides Again (2007) and El Deafo (2014). Other selected books are 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. This honor came from many places, like The Horn Book Magazine and Kirkus Reviews. It was also a New York Times Notable Children’s Book.

In 2019, her book Smell My Foot! was also recognized as one of the best books of the year.

Books by Cece Bell

As Author and Illustrator

Standalone Books

• Busy Buddies: Silly Stuff That Goes Together (2006)
• Food Friends: Fun Foods That Go Together (2006)
• Bee-Wigged (2008)
• Itty Bitty (2009)
• El Deafo (2014)
• I Yam a Donkey! (2015)
• Chuck and Woodchuck (2016)
• You Loves Ewe! (2019)
• Animal Albums from A to Z (2024)

Sock Monkey Trilogy

1. Sock Monkey Goes To Hollywood: A Star Is Bathed (2003)
2. Sock Monkey Boogie Woogie: A Friend Is Made (2004)
3. Sock Monkey Rides Again (2006)

Rabbit & Robot Duo

1. The Sleepover (2012)
2. Rabbit and Robot and Ribbit (2016)

Inspector Flytrap Trilogy (with Tom Angleberger)

1. Inspector Flytrap (2016)
2. Inspector Flytrap in The President’s Mane Is Missing (2016)
3. Inspector Flytrap in The Goat Who Chewed Too Much (2017)

Chick and Brain Duo

1. Smell My Foot! (2019)
2. Egg or Eyeball? (2020)

As Illustrator (for other authors)

• The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee, written by Tom Angleberger (2012)
• Bug Patrol, written by Denise Dowling Mortensen (2013)
• Crankee Doodle, written by Tom Angleberger (2013)

See also

In Spanish: Cece Bell para niños