Sign Language for Kids: A Fun & Easy Guide to American Sign Language [Hardcover]

Lora Heller (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

From the ABCs and the “1-2-3s” to full sentences, this fun guide, illustrated with photos of children signing, teaches youngsters all the basics of American Sign Language (ASL). They’ll start with the alphabet and counting, and move on to vocabulary for family, pets, and the home; things at school; days of the week; colors; favorite foods; sports and hobbies; and much more. Often, a sentence accompanies the sign, so that kids can grasp the use of verbs and other parts of ASL grammar. There are even explanations of how to change a statement into a question just by changing your facial expression. Now, even hearing kids can communicate easily with deaf friends or family members and have secret conversations whenever they want.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-7–Clear color photos and simple text combine to form an excellent introduction to American Sign Language (ASL). The text begins by introducing the alphabet and numbers through sharp, close-up photos of children demonstrating the signs; in some, arrows indicate the direction of the motions. Other chapters introduce the days of the week, senses, feelings, and animals. Many are useful in everyday situations, including the doctor's office, school, and restaurants. The caption for each illustration describes how to form the letter or sign, sometimes offering a suggestion that will help children remember it. For example, the motion for "girl" is explained this way: "Use your thumb to trace your jaw line, or an old-fashioned bonnet string." The brief, final chapters will help children link words and construct sentences. Pages that alternate between white and pastel colors and a variety of fonts provide visual interest. The useful index lists individual words.–Christine A. Moesch, City of Tonawanda Public Library, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Gr. 4-6. Heller, a master's level teacher of the deaf who has produced sign-language videos, proves she really knows her stuff in this well-designed, well-thought-out book, which delves into the subject with zest and has a subtitle that's right on the mark. Fully captioned color photos of both girls and boys--complete with directional arrows and, where necessary, helpful explanatory notes (signs for life and room combine to create living room)--make discerning signs, even multipart ones, easy to understand as well as remember. The organization is excellent as well. Signs for the letters and numerals through 20 (then by tens through 100) are presented first, followed by topical chapters that demonstrate signs for familiar concepts, objects, and places. Kids will learn days of the week, foods, holidays, clothing, pets, and more. Thanks to a concluding section that simply and clearly explains linking words, word order, and the importance of facial expression in signing, they will also be able to compose simple sentences and express thoughts. Kids will use this guide on their own, and teachers can use it in class. Even readers older than the target audience will come away greatly enriched and informed. Stephanie Zvirin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (July 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402706723
• ISBN-13: 978-1402706721
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #91,418 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #91 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Special Needs

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great, user-friendly book!, September 26, 2005

By 

teachermom (iowa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sign Language for Kids: A Fun & Easy Guide to American Sign Language (Hardcover)

My 8-year old uses this book every day to learn new signs. The part with the 'kid slang' signs is great. the photos really help show kids what their hands are supposed to be doing. I would recommend it for anyone whose child (6 and up) is interested in signing.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great book!, July 8, 2005

By 

Jenny (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sign Language for Kids: A Fun & Easy Guide to American Sign Language (Hardcover)

This is the best book on baby sign language that I have found. My husband and I had looked around for sign language books for our son and this one is far and above anything else out there.

First of all, the choice of vocabulary words is much more extensive than the other books I'd looked though. But even more important, the pictures of the kids signing are very clear. For someone who doesn't know ASL, it takes some getting used to how to make the different signs, and this book makes it very simple.

For anyone out there looking to start their child signing, we've found although it takes a LOT of persistence, it totally pays off. Our 20-month-old son has been signing for about a year and we notice that the number of "meltdowns" he has are much fewer than our friends' kids -- because he can tell us through sign whatever he can't express verbally. This book has been our bible.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to ASL!, November 22, 2006

By 

Jennifer Granite (Newport News, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sign Language for Kids: A Fun & Easy Guide to American Sign Language (Hardcover)

The photographs in this book are much easier to follow that the drawings that I've seen in other books. This one also has more signs than other kids books because it's about sign language, not deafness. Best of all, it has a grammer section for ASL that is better than I've seen in ANY signing book, children's or adult's. An excellent choice!