Simple Signs (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS?This slight volume introduces a few basic words as expressed in American Sign Language. Each page is devoted to a single word or concept, e.g., "hello," "cat," and "happy." A pen-and-ink diagram of the ASL gesture or sign appears beside a full-color watercolor illustration of the object or emotion being described. While this title is both attractive and straightforward, much of the same vocabulary is covered in Pamela Baker's My First Book of Sign (Kendall Green, 1986), which is more comprehensive. Also, it lacks the whimsical appeal of more specialized sign language picture books such as Remy Charlip and Mary Beth Miller's "Handtalk" books (Four Winds) or Laura Rankin's Handmade Alphabet (Dial, 1991). Libraries will be better served buying other titles that teach readers more sign language or those that take a more innovative approach to presenting this fascinating form of communication.?Rosalyn Pierini, San Luis Obispo City-County Library, CA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Ages 4^-6. Wheeler, who uses American Sign Language to communicate with one of her own children, has chosen 28 simple signs that young children can learn, among them, "cat," "eat," and "happy." Each sign, presented in a crisp black-and-white sketch with dotted lines to show hand movement, is accompanied by an easily recognizable color picture of what is signified. A hint listed below each sign explains in easy-to-understand terms how to place or move the hands ("like pedaling a bike," "like peeling a banana," etc.). Without the hints, the pictures will be a bit tricky to decipher. The end result is broader understanding: children don't simply learn a few words in a new language; they learn that there's a completely different world of communication. Mary Harris Veeder

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile (September 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670862827
• ISBN-13: 978-0670862825
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,008,015 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and simplistic, a great starter book, October 3, 1998

By A Customer

I have a toddler with speech disorder and use signs to agument communication. the easy to understand diagrams and simple description of how to make the sign was extremely useful to me. My son enjoyed the wonderful illustrations. I am using this book and its companion "More Simple Signs" to aid his teacher and classmates. Cindy Wheeler should be commended on her beautiful books. Only a parent of a "special" child understands how issues should be presented. These books are extremely useful

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, July 11, 2001

By	Tami (Idaho) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Simple Signs (Picture Puffins) (Paperback)

I am trying to teach my developmentally challenged son sign language - as well as teach his grandparents and father. This book really helped all of them and kept his attention while we read it. It is simple and easy to understand. Just what we needed!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy introduction for preschool age children, August 13, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Simple Signs (Picture Puffins) (Paperback)

I bought three copies for my son's friend who is non verbal! One for home, one to share at preschool and one for our home. There is one sign per page with an illustration of the movement, a hint to the logic behind the sign and a kid related picture of the object. Terrific basic vocabulary for preschool age communication