Handtalk School [Hardcover]

Mary Beth Miller (Author), George Ancona (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 31, 1991

Words and sign language depict a group of students involved in putting on a Thanksgiving play at a school for deaf children.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

Fourth in an acclaimed series using crisp, appealing photos to introduce American Sign Language through the activities of children at a school for the deaf. A day's cycle is shown here, including meals, sports, and a holiday play. The use of time or multiple exposure to indicate movement can be confusing (it's not always possible to tell in which direction hands are moving); otherwise, an excellent addition. (Nonfiction/Picture book. 4-11) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing (October 31, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0027009122
• ISBN-13: 978-0027009125
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,623,718 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An interesting glimpse into life at a school for the deaf, October 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Handtalk School (Hardcover)

Handtalk School by Mary Beth Miller and George Ancona, takes the reader on a fun and informative tour of a day in the life of children at a residential school for the deaf. From the moment the students wake up in the morning they are caught up in the excitement of preparing for the school play. From creating the props and costumes in art class, to learning their lines in history, to calling home on a TTY, the day circles around the preparation and the performance of the Thanksgiving day show.

Handtalk School is full of colorful photographs and a narration provided in sign language. In addition to being a fun story, the book also provides the nonsigning reader with some beginning signs and an insight into Deaf culture. ASL users will notice that despite the books claim of being in ASL, the story is actually told in a hybrid of ASL and Signed English. Despite this, the signs are easy to follow and the book can be enjoyed even by those with little to no English reading ability. Parents of deaf children may also appreciate the list of residential schools for the deaf listed in the back of the book.