Rose Ayling-Ellis: “When you grow up not seeing yourself in stories, you don’t stop imagining”

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I was a huge fan of Jacqueline Wilson’s books, especially Sleepovers. I remember sneaking under the covers with a flashlight late at night, trying to keep my reading a secret when it was a school night. What I loved most was how real her stories felt – they weren’t afraid to explore difficult emotions, messy situations, and genuine sadness, and they didn’t shy away from the fact that life isn’t always perfect.

But what really struck me was something that seemed minor then, but was actually incredibly powerful. The book included a character with a disability—not as a moral lesson, a figure from the past, or someone needing to be ‘fixed.’ They were simply a person, living their life.

Seeing someone like me on screen was important, but it also made me realize how uncommon it was. As a child, I never saw characters who were deaf, so I started imagining them. I’d pretend that the characters I loved were like me – I even drew hearing aids on my Barbie! I created a place for myself in those stories, even though it didn’t exist before.

If you never see characters who look like you in books, it doesn’t stop you from dreaming – it actually makes you dream even bigger. But having an imagination shouldn’t be a substitute for actually seeing yourself represented. That’s why I decided to take matters into my own hands and write the kind of children’s book I always wanted to read as a kid.

As a movie lover, I was really drawn to the core idea of The Big Bang! – it’s about three cats figuring out how to talk to each other, but not in a preachy way. I didn’t want a story about triumphing over obstacles, or being ‘inspired.’ What I really wanted was something honest: a story about the messy process of connection. It’s about constantly trying, stumbling, learning from your mistakes, changing your approach, and genuinely meeting others where they are. It’s about the effort, not necessarily the success.

Halo and Rocky realize that helping Casper isn’t about him changing, but about them changing too. True inclusion means accepting everyone as they are, without asking them to be different or prove their worth. It’s about making differences feel normal, not drawing attention to them.

You might wonder if kids really think about things this deeply, or why there’s so much focus on inclusivity now. But if you’re only just becoming aware of representation, that means you were fortunate enough to grow up seeing yourself reflected in the world around you.

Growing up, it was impossible not to notice the lack of people like me in stories. But honestly, I don’t want the next generation to even think about representation. I want them to just enjoy a story for what it is – to connect with the characters and get lost in the fun. I remember how strongly I felt that absence, and my biggest hope is that deaf children today won’t feel that same emptiness; that for them, seeing themselves will just feel… normal.

But children today are growing up with new challenges that many of us didn’t have.

I remember a simpler time when I’d visit the library for books and Blockbuster for movies. It feels like a cherished memory now, a period when life moved at a more relaxed pace and decisions weren’t rushed.

Growing up, my nighttime reading light shifted from a flashlight under the covers to a laptop screen, and watching rented movies turned into endlessly browsing online. It seems my ability to focus decreased as libraries began to disappear. Today, only a small fraction of elementary schools still have libraries, making it harder than ever for kids to access books and develop a love of reading.

World Book Day feels especially meaningful this year. I fondly remember dressing up as a fairy while my brother went as Willy Wonka. That memory now reminds me how important it is to cherish stories, books, and the power of imagination.

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I’ve started using time limits and blocking apps on my phone, and I put it away when I’m enjoying a movie or TV show. I’m also reading more, which has boosted my creativity and significantly improved my mental health. Plus, I’ve noticed I’m much more patient. Reading offers a welcome pause in today’s fast-paced world.

If reading has such a powerful effect on me, I worry about what it’s doing to developing young minds. Books offer children something technology can’t: the freedom to imagine and create without being limited by algorithms.

I hope I’ve encouraged you, not through my experiences or my deafness, but by reminding you to simply slow down and be more present. Let’s all create more room for stories, imagination, and connection with others. When you get a new book, be sure to actually take the time to enjoy it.

Books do more than just help us learn to read; they teach us how to truly understand the world around us. And in today’s fast-paced society, perhaps the most valuable lesson of all is learning to connect with and understand each other.

Rose Ayling-Ellis‘s book, The Big Bang!, was created for World Book Day on March 5th, 2026, and is now available. You can learn more about World Book Day on their website.

Stay up-to-date with the RT Book Club by visiting The TopMob Book Club, where you’ll find news, author interviews, Q&As, and reviews of past selections.

Authors

Rose Ayling-Ellis

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2026-03-05 16:35