RALEIGH, N.C. - s4story -- Debut author Hannah Jessen Conway has been awarded the First Horizon Award by the Eric Hoffer Award program for her touching picture book, Love Sounds Like. This honor recognizes Love Sounds Like as a work of superior merit by a first-time author, distinguishing it among the finest new publications of the year.

Love Sounds Like is a playful and poetic picture book that captures a tender bedtime conversation between a hearing mother and her deaf son. As Shepherd removes his cochlear implant processors at night, he asks his mother what love sounds like. Together, they discover that love is much more than a sound –– it's something we can taste, touch, see, and smell, too! To deepen this impact, Love Sounds Like includes a free downloadable activity book that introduces children to American Sign Language (ASL) and the ASL alphabet, providing an accessible way for families to learn together.

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With a background in nonprofit marketing and blogging for Christian publications, Conway's desire to write and publish inclusive children's literature bloomed when her second son was born deaf. She wanted to write a story that reminded all little readers that love is not limited by our abilities. Conway lives in Raleigh, NC, with her husband and two young sons, and is already dreaming up her next children's book.

"I wrote Love Sounds Like for families like mine and to remind children and parents, whether deaf or hearing, that we don't have to experience the world the same way to experience love," said Conway. "Receiving the First Horizon Award is an incredible honor for a first-time author like me and a beautiful affirmation of the power of inclusive storytelling."

The First Horizon Award, part of the esteemed Eric Hoffer Award umbrella, is presented annually to the most promising debut authors across genres. As a recipient, Love Sounds Like will also be featured in the US Review of Books in May, gaining broader national recognition.

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In addition to its success, Love Sounds Like has garnered support from many other inclusive children's authors and organizations dedicated to working with d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Conway is partnering with schools and nonprofits nationwide to bring her book's message of love and inclusion to young readers everywhere.

Love Sounds Like is available on Amazon and other online book retailers, as well as on Conway's website, https://hjconway.com/, where a "donate a book" option is available for people who want to gift a copy of the book to an organization or school that serves d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing children.

For more information about the book or to connect with the author, visit hjconway.com.