Review by Booklist Review
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
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreSThis 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 (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Bright, cheerful illustrations accompany clear diagrams of the American Sign Language signs for twenty-eight words. The words presented are either common in the everyday life of young children -- words such as 'hello, ball', and 'more', or are especially appealing -- for example, 'elephant'. From HORN BOOK 1995, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
