Simple Signs (Picture Puffins)

Demonstrates through illustrations and brief text twenty-nine American Sign Language signs for words such as hello, cry, dog, and love

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.