Child of the Silent Night: The Inspiring Story of Laura Bridgman, Both Deaf and Blind

by Edith Fisher Hunter

The story of Helen Keller is well-known throughout the world, but few people know of Laura Bridgman. Also blind and deaf, she was the first to break the pattern of early nineteenth-century tradition, learning to read the alphabet and leading the way for others to be freed of their handicaps.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Classics, Historical, Childrens, Biography Memoir

Paperback

First published September 9, 1963

About the author

Edith Fisher Hunter was a New England writer of children's novels. She graduated from Wellesley College in 1941, and from the Union Theological Seminary in 1944. She contributed to religious education and family magazines, as well as writing books on education, before publishing her first novel for children, Child of the Silent Night.

Reviews

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My original review is below.

I came to read about Laura Bridgeman even before I read about Helen Keller. She was a remarkable child with an amazing story that was inspirational.

I too as other reviewers have said vividly remember the stunning black and white illustrations.

These illustrations were seen throughout the book as Laura's story was told. I am glad to see others enjoyed this story so much as I did.

You've got to understand, through the eyes of a child, the story appeared magical. The strength she showed left me stunned and deeply admiring.

I also adored Laura's teacher who was a guiding light to Laura and who loved her it seems quite deeply.

I would deeply recommend this story. I found it at my school. Perhaps it is still at many a school, adorning the libraries there. I do hope so.

Original review:

Short but beautiful book from my childhood. I had not heard of Laura Bridgman before. This little book was a joy to read.

Laura was quite a strong lady and a fighter! This remains one of my favorites from long ago. People should read it. It is a beautiful story.

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have the 1991 republished edition of this 1963 book. I found it used (but in pristine condition in Aunties Bookstore*) in Spokane, Washington back when we lived there (1996-98) and read it for the first time in 2002. It tells the story of the first blind and deaf person—and no it was not Helen Keller—it was Laura Bridgman (December 21, 1829 – May 24, 1889) who learned to communicate using finger spelling and the written word. It was Laura who paved the wave for other blind and deaf persons, including the more famous Helen, by helping the innovative Dr. Howe at the Perkins School for the Blind refine methods of teaching. Hellen’s teacher, Annie Sullivan was taught at the same school Laura attended and used the methods which had been validated on Laura.

Like Helen, Laura had also been born seeing and hearing but due to an early childhood illness had lost those senses. Unlike her though, there wasn’t even Braille available for Laura. She learned the alphabet using raised letters themselves. Fortunately, however, she had had a very kind and lonely elderly man, Asa Tenney, ‘Uncle’ Asa, who when Laura was still young had seen her quick intelligence and maximized on her strength sense: touch. He took her out to the woods and ‘showed’ her to how to feel all the differences in nature, from the soft of a tiny bird, to the hard of rock, the wet of water, the cold, hard of ice, etc. Through these excursions, Uncle Asa kept her curious mind open until she was blessed enough to be noticed by a young man who knew a doctor who knew Dr. Howe (who was already teaching the blind) and how eager he was to find someone with the additional limitation of deafness, to see if his theory that the blind/deaf were as intelligent as everyone else was correct. And he was partially right. But actually, Laura was more intelligent than most!

A fascinating story which I have read twice now and am getting ready to pass on to my daughter for my granddaughter. It is a wonderfully inspiring book for young people, aged 7-10 to read alone, maybe younger to be read aloud. Inspiring for ALL ages!

*When we used to go there in the late 90s, they had a full 4 stories of books. Almost heaven! The fourth story held the used books and I found many a treasure there, especially for our children. Sadly, when we went back in 2014, they were already shrinking. I think they only had one floor open. The upstairs was either rented out or given over to administrative/storage.

[Lin Lin]

I came across this book recently and learned that before Helen Keller, Laura Bridgman was the first woman who was deaf, blind, and mute but was educated at the Perkins Institute, where Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan spent many of their years. Her life would be so different without her friend, Ada Tenney, Dr. Howe, and teachers at the school she attended. Children like Laura and Helen could be educated despite their severe disabilities. How can teachers and parents help children with all kinds of disabilities? Educators must learn something from this story.

[Amanda Sexton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve owned this book since I was a child, and I recently read it out loud for my niece’s Tonie. It’s a good story about a blind, deaf, and mute child, based on a true story. It is informative, and based on a child’s level of understanding.

[Good · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-written biography of a young deaf and blind and mute girl who really paved the way for Hellen Keller and so many like her. Really, kudos goes to the leaders and teachers at the Perkins School for the Blind who later produced Helen Keller’s teacher, Anne Sullivan.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful children's book. True - happened in Hanover, NH, -- pre-Helen Keller

[Leisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-reading books from my childhood collection. Book #20. Rating based on my past affection for the book and warm fuzziness of memory.

[JustJen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating is probably sentimental ... I distinctly remember reading (and re-reading) this book throughout my elementary school years. The writing was very easy to read for me at that age, but also very compelling. I couldn't (can't) imagine life without the being able to see or hear. There were simple black and white illustrations throughout the book that helped visualize the story and make it even more real ... it IS a real accounting!

... I remember my school library had a copy of the book that I would check out (and check out and check out). I now have a copy on my library shelf.

Quote "They had conquered the enemies of darkness and silence. They had done it in the same way that a lighted candle conquers the darkness of the silent night."

[Jeniann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never heard of Laura Bridgman before, but she was the first person that we know of that was both deaf and mute and learned to read and communicate. Helen Keller's mother read about her in a book and decided to get her an education. This is actually quite a simple and short picture telling her story. I found it very interesting, but I am a huge fan of Helen Keller, so I am probably biased that way.

[Tripleguess · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairly well written junior biography. I read a book about Helen Keller when I was a child, but had never heard of Laura Bridgeman.

The book focuses mostly on Laura's childhood, since that is when the most dramatic changes in her life ocurred. I appreciated that the book did follow through to the date of her death. I would have liked to know more about in between, but can understand the omission. Recommended intro to the life of Laura Bridgeman.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading this in the 5th grade and really loving it. I used to hate reading as a kid, but I remember really loving this one. It was probably one of the few books I ever actually finished for school. I'm in college now and I still remember how good this book was, and I still tell people about it. Maybe sometime I will read it again since it has been so long.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really moved by reading about this girl from her perspective - imagining what she might feel being without sight or sound. All the more so knowing its a true story. Ruth and Rex enjoyed it, too.

[Tracey Pate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another one of my favorite books from my childhood. My mom had this book special ordered for me when I read part of it at school and fell in love with the book. My local library, which we regularly frequented, did not have it available. I still have the book.

[Shawn]

Another book I am sure I read in my pre-teen years...

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not first reading (date below)

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

its rely good youll like it Jenna

[Cws]

JAR5-Hun

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Child of the Silent Night at age 7 or 8. I was amazed by Laura Bridgman, a deaf and blind girl. I reread this book many times.

[Amanda Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost a must read. Everyone has heard of Helen Keller, but what about Laura Bridgman... Ha, I sure did read brainy books as a young teen!

[Heylinxoxo]

mhm

[WSL Library]

X2

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

read as a child, don't remember it

[Ayren Daniels]

This book opens your eyes to history from a different point of view.

[Mary]

Read as a child.