Handsigns: A Sign Language Alphabet

by Kathleen Fain

This clever and unusual book is both a simple alphabet book for very young children and an introduction to American Sign Language for readers of all ages. The easy to follow format presents 26 full color illustrations, each revealing not only one, but sometimes two or three animals that begin with a particular letter. An inset picture of a human hand showing the sign for that same letter also appears on each page. In addition, a glossary highlights the animals from A to Z, and an afterword provides important information on sign language (including both its origin and how it can be used) that parents and teachers will want to share with children. One of only a few books that teaches children how to sign, Handsigns is a colorful way to learn the alphabet while learning about fascinating animals.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens

40 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very straightforward book that shows you the ASL alphabet. There is even an appendix that gives you information about the animals pictured. I am just saddened a bit that police officers probably used ASL more at the time of the original publication as mentioned then they do today. Great book!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very, very well done. Each letter is accompanied by an animal, the written letter, and a diagram of how to sign the letter. No other text to clutter the page. A glossary at the back then gives factual details for each animal included (some of which even this adult couldn't guess -- 'V' for 'vixen,' a female fox?).

[Jonah Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre - NonFiction?
Grade Level - Depending on use. If used to introduce signlanguage than its an introductory level book. If it is used to teach sign language / about sign language, this book can be used for 1-5
Unique - This book could be used to 1. Teach sign language or 2.Teach about sign language.

[Marissa Dunbar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved loved loved this book. It showed how to sign each letter, an animal that begins with that letter and then in the back of the book there was a glossary of animals and under each animal it explained different facts about the animals. I feel this is a great intro book if you are trying to teach a child sign language.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book is a great introduction to signing the alphabet in American Sign Language. Each page is wordless, and it shows a large color illustration of an animal accompanied by the letter and sign for the letter the animal starts with. I plan to use it with my three-year-old and five-year-old who have expressed an interest in learning some signs.

[Lina (Carlina) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful for children and adults alike.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Handsigns by Kathleen Fain is an oldie but a goodie. This isn't your plain Jane alphabet book. Kathleen includes animal illustrations along with each letter of the alphabet and, most importantly, a picture of how to "fingerspell" each letter. This is a creative way to teach sign language which is something I think all children and adults should learn (at least a few signs, that is). There's also a helpful note at the beginning on American Sign Language and a short history of manual speech. These tools will help older readers understand the concept in greater depth. There's also a glossary of animals in the back of the book which will help more engaged readers get a background on each animal.

I love sign language and think everyone should make an effort to learn it. Therefor, I think this book is amazing! What a great way to get children involved in Deaf culture and learning some signs. The illustrations weren't the greatest, but I enjoyed all other aspects of this work.

Anyone could take something away from this book. Thumbs up!

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a very clever idea - every page shows the handsign for the letter, and a picture of an animal. (Sometimes, as with B, we get two animals - bear and bee.) I firmly believe that using signs and the manual alphabet helps to reinforce literacy skills.

But some of the animals are a little obscure - like the nautilus or the urchin - and the names aren't printed on the pages. You have to flip back to the index. That makes reading the book with a young child awkward. Also, I would really have liked to have seen - even in the index - a list of signs for the animals themselves.

[Mikayla Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a cool book if you were teaching them the American Sign Language signs to the alphabet. It has a page dedicated to explaining ASL and gives a brief history. Then , it goes through each letter of the alphabet and has a picture of an animal who's name starts with that letter, as well as a picture of the sign for that letter. Kids can then associate those signs with the correct letter. In the end, there is a glossary of animals that gives a description of each as well as some interesting facts.

[Nicole Holden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great idea to show the handsigns for the alphabets. This book has no words in in, just the letters from A - Z, and the handsign. What is amazing about this book is that it chose to illustrate pictures of animals for each letter on the page. For example, the letter "A" it illustrated a picture of an Anteater. In the back of the book is a glossary of all animals listed in the book.

[Molly Schoonover · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a perfect book to teach students the alphabet in sign language- a concept that is very valuable to be learned by all. Not only does it introduce many types of animals, it also shows how to sign each letter of the alphabet and shows what each big and little letter looks like. The glossary of animals in the back of the book is a wonderful touch.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations of the animals seem very appropriate for all ages. The signs seem to be all correct and adjusted to see the best view of hand orientation. Also, the Glossary of Animals in the back of the book could be helpful for students who are curious about the illustrations.

[Andrew]

Hand signs: a sign language alphabet is another nonfiction picture book about sign language. It does a good job with providing the signs and by using animals it can keep younger children entertained. This book is for all ages.