Handsigns: A Sign Language Alphabet [Paperback]

Kathleen Fain (Author)

Book Description

Grade Level: P and up

This clever and unusual book is both a simple alphabet book for very young children and an introduction to American Sign Language for readers of all ages. The easy to follow format presents 26 full color illustrations, each revealing not only one, but sometimes two or three animals that begin with a particular letter. An inset picture of a human hand showing the sign for that same letter also appears on each page. In addition, a glossary highlights the animals from A to Z, and an afterword provides important information on sign language (including both its origin and how it can be used) that parents and teachers will want to share with children. One of only a few books that teaches children how to sign, Handsigns is a colorful way to learn the alphabet while learning about fascinating animals.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this unusual abecedary, 26 animal pin-ups on their best, most serene behavior pose for page-size portraits which are then accompanied by insets demonstrating handsigns of the American Manual Alphabet. First-time author Fain's tidy saturated oil pastels, executed with confidence, encourage letter-learning and signing--in tandem. Indeed, parents and teachers may find that the two-way association of reading and hand gestures boosts a child's memory. Each signing inset is large and clear, easily interpreted and imitated. Two prefaces include information on American Sign Language ("the fourth most-used language in the United States") and a brief history of manual speech (beginning with a 16th-century pioneer); the first also supplies tips for finger spelling, e.g., "Try to keep each letter sign distinct from the others, and slowly mouth the word (not the individual letters) as you spell it." A glossary (not seen by PW ) will identify and provide facts about each creature, including the three or four not readily recognized. An enjoyable learning tool that will give many beginning readers an immediate sense of accomplishment. All ages.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Kirkus Reviews

To introduce American Sign, ``the fourth most-used language in the United States,'' a simple alphabet, from anteater to zebra, in a generous square format that nicely accommodates appealing, handsomely designed color portraits of the animals- -quietly escaping their boundaries into the surrounding white space--plus, on each page, the appropriate letter (cap and l.c.) and a clear depiction of its handsign. The animals' names appear only in a glossary (not seen)--a real necessity for some of the more ambiguous (jack rabbit, vixen) or obscure (nautilus) species. Not as imaginative as Laura Rankin's The Handmade Alphabet (1991), but a useful addition to a small field and a fine illustration debut for Fain. (Picture book. 3-9) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811811964
• ISBN-13: 978-0811811965
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 10 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,204,428 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great childrens book, November 9, 2004

By 

D. Wright "big D the book expert" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Handsigns: A Sign Language Alphabet (Paperback)

This is a great book for children and adults. The art is really good and keeps children interested. Also it is educational. It teaches kids the alphabet and sign language for every letter. This is a really great book and I recomend it to any parent.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Could've been better., September 14, 2008

By 

Ulyyf "Connie" (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handsigns: A Sign Language Alphabet (Paperback)

It's a very clever idea - every page shows the handsign for the letter, and a picture of an animal. (Sometimes, as with B, we get two animals - bear and bee.) I firmly believe that using signs and the manual alphabet helps to reinforce literacy skills.

But some of the animals are a little obscure - like the nautilus or the urchin - and the names aren't printed on the pages. You have to flip back to the index. That makes reading the book with a young child awkward. Also, I would really have liked to have seen - even in the index - a list of signs for the animals themselves.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Never received book, November 7, 2010

By 

Nancy John - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Handsigns: A Sign Language Alphabet (Hardcover)

Never received this book. Contacted seller and asked for money back and never received.