Moses Sees a Play [Hardcover]

Isaac Millman (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up

A lively performance by the Little Theatre of the Deaf

Actors from the Little Theatre of the Deaf are coming to Moses' school, and Moses and his classmates are going to see a play! A class from another school joins them, and Moses is introduced to Manuel, who has just moved to the United States. Manuel doesn't know English or sign language yet. Moses, being deaf, knows how hard it can be when no one understands you, so he tries communicating with Manuel using body gestures, while also teaching him some simple signs.

This delightful book about Moses incorporates clear and colorful pictures, written English, and American Sign Language (ASL). Detailed diagrams of the signs are included so that readers can learn along with Manuel.

A Junior Library Guild Selection

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 3-In this engaging installment in the series about a hearing-impaired boy, Moses's class is joined by a group of hearing children from another school and the students are treated to a production of Cinderella by the Little Theatre of the Deaf. As the two classes intermingle prior to entering the gym, Moses meets Manuel, a new immigrant who does not yet speak English. The two boys develop a rapport, especially since "Moses knows how lonely it can be when no one understands you," and they communicate through gestures. The performance of the immediately recognizable fairy tale makes the signs and body language of the actors more accessible to both the children within the story and to readers. Insets in most of the spreads show Moses and later the performers demonstrating relevant American Sign Language. The colorful artwork is filled with enthusiastic kids with expressive features set against realistic school backdrops. This book not only familiarizes and sensitizes children to the culture of the deaf or hard-of-hearing community, but also tells an appealing story. Millman draws a parallel between the challenges faced by ESL students and those who do not hear and in so doing raises youngsters' general levels of awareness and empathy.-Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

K-Gr. 2. Moses, a young deaf child who in previous books has gone to school, attended a concert, and been to the circus, now sees a play. The Little Theater of the Deaf is performing Cinderella at Moses' school, and a group of hearing children from another school are going to attend. A straightforward text and appealing ink-and-watercolor artwork, well detailed with classroom minutiae, tell the story in the traditional way, but each spread also features boxed sequences showing Moses describing the action in American Sign Language (ASL). At the book's conclusion, the pictures show him recapping the whole event for his mother in ASL. In a subplot, Moses meets Manuel, a boy from the other school, who speaks only Spanish, but they become friends; their relationship is an interesting bridge to the various ways that people communicate. A book that's as pleasurable to read as it is informative. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR); 1st edition (April 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374350663
• ISBN-13: 978-0374350666
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #690,272 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 FOR DEAF AND HEARING CHILDREN, June 5, 2004

By 

Brenda "MYSHELFDOTCOM" (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Moses Sees a Play (Hardcover)

Today, Moses and his school have some special visitors. They are the actors of The Little Theatre of the Deaf. They present plays in a special way. Moses' teacher, Mr. Samuel invites a hearing class to see the play with Moses' class. Manuel is with the visiting class. He is new and speaks Spanish. Moses knows Manuel feels different and tries to sign to him. Manuel and Moses discover they do have something in common and a friendship begins.

So what is it that draws Manuel and Moses together? Moreover, how does The Little Theatre of the Deaf present the Cinderella? You will have to read the book to find out!

Millman writes and illustrates the Moses series. Millman's modest illustrations blend perfectly with the reflective storylines he creates. The Moses series' easy-going, imaginative approach teaches deaf awareness in an unassuming way. Learning new signs with each book is an added bonus. Moses is an inspirational role model for both hearing and deaf children. This is one series I highly recommend.

5.0 out of 5 stars BRAVO ! Let's all become actors with 'flying fingers' . . ., September 27, 2006

By 

mcHaiku "nmi" (Brown County INDIANA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Moses Sees a Play (Hardcover)

Author-artist Isaac Millman has created a captivating series of books for deaf or hard-of-hearing children - and for all who have concerns about those who are hearing-impaired. My computer helped me stumble on these books & follow the road to 'Serendip'. What Luck!

"Moses Sees a Play" not only teaches the uninitiated like me some A.S.L. (American Sign Language) but it injects understanding and fun. There is a storyline revolving around young students at a school for the deaf - - and their interaction with others who DO have hearing. They make new friends, and they are motivated to do their own 'acting-out' which reminds us that 'acting out' sometimes means making trouble!

So Reviewer mcHAIKU wonders if Isaac Millman will work on a story about resolving conflict, and how large is the vocabulary of average hearing-impaired children, anyway?

Your watercolors have great appeal & keep readers focused on those flying fingers. Would you please make some Halloween paperdolls of MOSES and his friends? Thank you for the wonderful concept & for stimulating my 'continuing education'.