I Can Sign My ABCs

An introduction to the alphabet in sign language with the manual alphabet handshape, a picture, the name, and the sign of an object beginning with that letter for each of the twenty-six letters of the alphabet

PreSchool-Grade 2 A very basic ABC sign language book. Each letter of the alphabet is shown in both capital and lower case forms with a hand showing the sign for the letter. At the bottom of the page is the entire alphabet in lower case letters highlighting the given letter. The facing page has a picture of an object starting with the given letter, the sign for the word, and the word written out. Bright bold colors and clear illustrations are used. The hands are easy to read for both the letters and the signs, but the faces do not show any expression related to the sign. All children, regardless of race, look exactly the same, with flashing-light bright eyes and exaggerated grins. The scope of the book is limitedonly one noun for each letter. Libraries needing books for very young children learning to sign or who have a need for a wide variety of sign language books will find this useful. For most libraries, Pamela Baker's My First Book of Sign (Gallaudet University Pr, 1986) is a much better investment, as it gives several words for each letter and additional information. Nancy A. Gifford, Schenectady County Public Library, N.Y.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Each spread in this full-color book displays a letter of the alphabet and then an object that begins with that letter: "A" is for apple, "S" is for shoes. But there's a twist. The illustrations show the handshapes for both letter and object in American Sign Language; readers can go through two alphabets at once. It's a direct approach to teaching a subject about which children are often fascinatedthe language of most of the hearing-impaired population. The pictures are cartoony but practical; it's easy to understand what fingers and motions are involved in the sign.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.