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The Handmade Alphabet
Presents the handshape for each letter of the American manual alphabet accompanied by an object whose name begins with that letter
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1988
3 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
August 7, 2022
Easiest and most beautiful way to learn the American Sign Language alphabet I've ever seen. But, that's all it teaches. Appropriate for all ages.
February 8, 2020
I pick this book up from time to time, and I’m always delighted again.
July 5, 2017
Like many kids with autism, my son Luke is a very delayed speaker. He said his first word ("mama," thank you very much) on time, but didn't make much progress after that and remains fairly low-verbal. So, like many parents struggling to communicate with children with expressive and receptive delays, I turned to American Sign Language.
(Sidenote: Despite some myths that persist, the evidence is quite clear that sign language does not delay verbal speech—and may in fact encourage it. See the National Academy of Science's 2001 report Educating Children with Autism)
Lots of kids with ASD are able to enjoy books more when they move their bodies or have a motion to imitate. It's hard for Luke to attend to a book, but he gets a feeling of pride about his signing ability and enjoys the physical movement and interactivity. It's fun watching him light up when I read The Handmade Alphabet.
The illustrated hands are pretty and appropriately diverse in age, gender expression, and skin color. Each page features an ASL sign for a letter with the hand holding something or doing something that begins with that letter too. The "A" hand clutches an asparagus. The "B" hand is surrounded by bubbles. Etc. For the two letters whose signs require motion (J and Z) the action is drawn; so the "J" hand's pinkie swipes a taste of jam from a jar.
I review books for children from the perspective of a parent of kids with autism. The review above is from a longer blog post about great books for kids with autism who REALLY love the alphabet: http://www.lineupthebooks.com/obsesse...
(Sidenote: Despite some myths that persist, the evidence is quite clear that sign language does not delay verbal speech—and may in fact encourage it. See the National Academy of Science's 2001 report Educating Children with Autism)
Lots of kids with ASD are able to enjoy books more when they move their bodies or have a motion to imitate. It's hard for Luke to attend to a book, but he gets a feeling of pride about his signing ability and enjoys the physical movement and interactivity. It's fun watching him light up when I read The Handmade Alphabet.
The illustrated hands are pretty and appropriately diverse in age, gender expression, and skin color. Each page features an ASL sign for a letter with the hand holding something or doing something that begins with that letter too. The "A" hand clutches an asparagus. The "B" hand is surrounded by bubbles. Etc. For the two letters whose signs require motion (J and Z) the action is drawn; so the "J" hand's pinkie swipes a taste of jam from a jar.
I review books for children from the perspective of a parent of kids with autism. The review above is from a longer blog post about great books for kids with autism who REALLY love the alphabet: http://www.lineupthebooks.com/obsesse...
February 13, 2020
Laura Rankin’s picture book,The Handmade Alphabet, is a beautifully drawn book depicting the manual alphabet, the most important part of American Sign Language. Each page consists of a beautifully drawn humanistic hand signing each letter of the alphabet. On each page, the assigned letter is is holding it’s matching item. The J, is dipping the pinky in the jam, showing the action to formulate the letter J when signing. The baby hand signs the letter K while holding a set of plastic toy keys. A woman’s hand signs N as her nails are perfectly painted. This book was found in my middle school library and is perfect for children from pre-school through even middle school. Everyone can enjoy and learn about the visual language from this picture book, however, its simplicity is better targeted for beginning learners in earlier schooling. Minutes with this book will teach you how to sign the alphabet which is the author’s purpose.
January 31, 2025
There are no words in this book, only alphabet hand shapes. Each letter is beautifully drawn, shown on hands of different sizes and colours, each one holding an item that starts with that letter. For example, letter A shows a child's closed fist holding some Asparagus.
Not only are the drawings detailed and accurate enough to truly learn letter signs, but the items included may also help readers remember the signs. For example, letter H is made by holding a thumb and pointer finger parallel to each other, with the other fingers curled into a fist. The illustration shows the thumb and finger poking through a Hole. H is one of the letter signs I tend to forget or second-guess, but keeping this image in mind, I will better remember how to make the letter because I can envision it sticking through a hole.
Very simple and very effective. Would be a great first introduction to letter signs.
Not only are the drawings detailed and accurate enough to truly learn letter signs, but the items included may also help readers remember the signs. For example, letter H is made by holding a thumb and pointer finger parallel to each other, with the other fingers curled into a fist. The illustration shows the thumb and finger poking through a Hole. H is one of the letter signs I tend to forget or second-guess, but keeping this image in mind, I will better remember how to make the letter because I can envision it sticking through a hole.
Very simple and very effective. Would be a great first introduction to letter signs.
March 26, 2018
Awards the book has received: This book has not received any awards.
Appropriate grade level(s): Kindergarten through fourth grade
Original summary: The book has a page for each letter of the alphabet. On each page, there is a written grapheme of the letter, the hand sign for the letter as well as a picture of something that begins with the same letter.
Original review: This book helps to connect concepts of the standard American alphabet with the American Sign Language Alphabet, making it easier to learn. By featuring the grapheme, picture, and the hand sign, it becomes easier to connect the hand signs to the letters. The also provides the students with a reference if they forget how to sign a letter.
1-2 possible in-class uses: Introducing American Sign Language. Helping the students to remember their letters by using kinesthetic methods to connect the two.
Appropriate grade level(s): Kindergarten through fourth grade
Original summary: The book has a page for each letter of the alphabet. On each page, there is a written grapheme of the letter, the hand sign for the letter as well as a picture of something that begins with the same letter.
Original review: This book helps to connect concepts of the standard American alphabet with the American Sign Language Alphabet, making it easier to learn. By featuring the grapheme, picture, and the hand sign, it becomes easier to connect the hand signs to the letters. The also provides the students with a reference if they forget how to sign a letter.
1-2 possible in-class uses: Introducing American Sign Language. Helping the students to remember their letters by using kinesthetic methods to connect the two.
Read
December 5, 2018Summary: This book is an illustrated version of the American Sign Language Alphabet. It goes through the different letters and each hand, while making the shape is holding something that starts with the letter.
Analysis: I think this book is good because the illustrations are large and the visual of the object linked with the visual of the hand making the shape of the letter. I think that would make it easier for students to make a connection and actually remember the shape the hand is making.
How I would use this book in a classroom: I think this would be a good way for students to learn about ASL and a good assignment would be to learn to spell their own name and learn a sentence or two about themselves and sign it to the class. This would be a good transition into learning about different ways that people communicate.
Analysis: I think this book is good because the illustrations are large and the visual of the object linked with the visual of the hand making the shape of the letter. I think that would make it easier for students to make a connection and actually remember the shape the hand is making.
How I would use this book in a classroom: I think this would be a good way for students to learn about ASL and a good assignment would be to learn to spell their own name and learn a sentence or two about themselves and sign it to the class. This would be a good transition into learning about different ways that people communicate.
November 25, 2020
This book won the institutional Young Reader's Choice award. It goes through every letter within the American Sign Language alphabet. Using beautiful illustrations of a diverse set of human hands, it demonstrates how to make the letter symbol with different hand positions. It also includes objects for each letter whose first name beginnings correlate with that letter. This is a very inclusive alphabet book. It would not only help children to learn the letters of the English language, but of American Sign Language as well. I believe, even if the children were not going to continue learning sign language, that this book and these hand gestures would help them to remember letters. This book would be most appropriate for anyone in PreK-2 grade. It could be used to help introduce letters into the classroom or it could be used to reaffirm/review them when they've recently been learned.
September 15, 2018
Laura Rankin created beautiful artwork that depict the 'manual alphabet,' a way to sign letters, that is part of American Sign Language. Each depiction also shows a hand and a familiar object that starts with that letter. It is very clever, and a great way to start memorizing this alphabet. A for asparagus (a hand grasping two spears), B for bubbles, C for cup (hanging on the thumb), D for dragonfly (posed on the index finger pointing up), e for eraser, etc. So it's an alphabet/ABC book in more than one way.
November 11, 2020
1. N/A
2. Infants-1st
3. This book showcases American Sign Language and the alphabet that goes along with it. The hands shown are multicultural and are paired with an illustration of something that goes along with the letter, A for asparagus.
4. I love this book for teaching the alphabet and the ASL alphabet. The children can guess what the illustrations stands for alongside the letter shown.
5. This can be used to teach the ASL alphabet to students and they could sing the alphabet song with it. It would help with their fine motor skills and at a young age they could remember ASL alphabet.
2. Infants-1st
3. This book showcases American Sign Language and the alphabet that goes along with it. The hands shown are multicultural and are paired with an illustration of something that goes along with the letter, A for asparagus.
4. I love this book for teaching the alphabet and the ASL alphabet. The children can guess what the illustrations stands for alongside the letter shown.
5. This can be used to teach the ASL alphabet to students and they could sing the alphabet song with it. It would help with their fine motor skills and at a young age they could remember ASL alphabet.
November 28, 2017
This informative book is great for teaching sign language to grades K-2. It has a fun way of teaching sign language to younger children. I think that this book would be great to use if you wanted to teach your students something fun and new while remaining educational. The book teaches simple sign language that is simple to pick up, and I think it would be a great incentive to use for your students.
April 26, 2018
1. Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book
2. Kindergarten-Grade 4
3. This book teachers one letter of the alphabet at a time for each page. It connects each letter of the alphabet to the sign in ASL, making it easier to form connections with and learn.
4. I love this book because it introduces ASL through diverse human hands!
5. Can be used to introduce/teach sign language and the alphabet through sign language. It also serves as a multi-cultural read!
2. Kindergarten-Grade 4
3. This book teachers one letter of the alphabet at a time for each page. It connects each letter of the alphabet to the sign in ASL, making it easier to form connections with and learn.
4. I love this book because it introduces ASL through diverse human hands!
5. Can be used to introduce/teach sign language and the alphabet through sign language. It also serves as a multi-cultural read!
May 13, 2019
"The Handmade Alphabet" by Laura Rankin is such a unique book because it introduces the letters of the alphabet using American Sign Language, rather than written letters. This book helps children not only be able to identify letters but learn their order, as well as how to communicate with letters by signing. The book beautifully illustrates hands doing the letters in sign language along with pictures of things that begin with the letters. I would recommend this book for parents and educators!
picture-books
February 13, 2024Date: 01.12.24
Attendees: 23
Theme: Letters
Introduction and announcements: Shake my Sillies Out by Raffi (with shaker eggs)
Book one: Superhero ABC by Bob McLeod
Song/rhyme/game one: One from the Left by Jim Gill
Book two: Dr. Seuss’s ABC
Song/rhyme/game two: Dance, Freeze, Melt by Mr. Eric and Mr. Michael
Book three: The Handmade Alphabet by Laura Rankin
Song/ rhyme/ game three: B.I.N.G.O with egg shakers
Activity: Free Play
Attendees: 23
Theme: Letters
Introduction and announcements: Shake my Sillies Out by Raffi (with shaker eggs)
Book one: Superhero ABC by Bob McLeod
Song/rhyme/game one: One from the Left by Jim Gill
Book two: Dr. Seuss’s ABC
Song/rhyme/game two: Dance, Freeze, Melt by Mr. Eric and Mr. Michael
Book three: The Handmade Alphabet by Laura Rankin
Song/ rhyme/ game three: B.I.N.G.O with egg shakers
Activity: Free Play
October 28, 2020
In this book, the alphabet is presented in sign language, illustrated with a diverse assortment of hands. Each illustration also includes an extra item that starts with that letter (for example, A has asparagus and B has bubbles). This would be a great intro to sign language for little alphabet learners.
September 17, 2018
This book goes through the alphabet and the sign language in which it symbolizes. This book would be a helpful tool in the classroom for kids to go over and learn. Everyone should have basic knowledge of sign language and to try to preform it.
February 13, 2019
I remember reading this to a child with autism who loved the alphabet; watching him try to learn the alphabet in sign language--and learn it so quickly!--was heartwarming, fun, and impressive. 3/5 stars for the memory-making alone.
December 31, 2021
Beautifully illustrated book that takes you through the American Sign Language alphabet. My friend Junelle, whose mom was deaf, gave this book to our daughter for her first birthday. Now we gave to our daughter’s son!
May 3, 2022
This was a beautiful showing of the ASL alphabet. I grabbed it to show my students as we learn the sign language alphabet. Not only can they see how to hold their hands, but it shows things that start with that letter so that they can be visually reminded of what it stands for. Love it!
November 22, 2017
Absolutely stunning illustrations for each sign of the alphabet. Both my kids loved working on their ABCs and learning to sign their names.
April 6, 2019
The illustrations are beautiful!
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July 8, 2019Fun way for young kids to learn the ASL alphabet!
November 12, 2019
The illustrations are gorgeous!
August 16, 2020
Simply shows the sign language alphabet.
June 23, 2021
Such a beautifully illustrated book of the ASL alphabet.
December 29, 2023
Recommend by our deaf friends for our daughter who is starting ASL. Both of my kids love it and it’s been helpful in their finger spelling.
June 15, 2024
6/14/24: beautiful illustrations!
November 6, 2024
I’m learning sign language and I really benefit from multiple types of examples and this book was really helpful in my confidence of the alphabet. I’m sure it will help many on their ASL journey.
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February 27, 2017Title: The Handmade Alphabet
Author: Laura Rankin
Illustrator: Laura Rankin
Genre: Alphabet (ABC) Book
Theme(s): Alphabet, Deaf, Signing
Opening Line/Sentence: “A”
Brief Book Summary:
The alphabet is signed in American Sign Language by a single hand. There is one hand sign per page, therefore one letter per page. Within the page there is an object that is displayed, in which the first letter of the word corresponds to the letter signed on the page. There is a large uppercase letter in the top left corner of every page.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews)
Exquisitely detailed, realistically portrayed hands of different ages, sexes, and colors demonstrate the positions for the manual alphabet used in American Sign; an object with the appropriate initial appears with each--the pointing finger for "T" reaches toward a dripping icicle; "T" sports three thimbles and a fistful of thread; "X" appears on an X-ray. An elegant roman capital completes each beautifully designed color-pencil illustration. The key includes the lovely jacket and title-page pictures, each of which adds something special--e.g., the hand on the title-page is overlaid with some of the many styles of letters that may be represented by the signs. The point of view sometimes varies from signer to observer, but the illustrations are so admirably clear that this should cause no confusion. An excellent introduction.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Beth Goodrich (Science Books and Films)
On each 8 1/2" x 11" page, this book shows an artful, creative, and accurate hand shape of a letter of the manual alphabet of American Sign Language (ASL). Each hand shape is accompanied by the corresponding letter of the written alphabet, making the work a useful tool for anyone learning the manual alphabet. In addition, each letter is matched with an alphabetic-related word; thus, the "A" shape grasps spears of asparagus, the "B" is surrounded by bubbles, etc. The drawings are colored pencil on charcoal paper, lovingly created with fine detail, and the printing quality is excellent. But more than a learning tool and more than well-done art, each whimsical page brings laughter or amusement, and even awe. While one might expect "A" to stand for asparagus and "B" for bubbles, there are pleasant surprises here that would capture the imaginative interest of any child or adult. This book is recommended for any young child interested in learning the ASL manual alphabet, in drawing, or in exercising the imagination. Recommended, Grades 3-4.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
I was pleasantly thrilled to read the reviews based off of the ABC book I chose. Having personal experience with beginning level ASL, I completely agree with both reviewers about the uniqueness of this book. Both reviewers paid close attention to intricate detail of each hand drawn sketch, which in itself is remarkable. The correlation between the hand sign, the written letter of the alphabet and the item featured in each individual picture helps readers to register which letter they are looking at and learning from.
Evaluation of Literacy Elements:
This book is intended for a different viewpoint and approach from traditional classroom learning. Although there are no words or sentences featured in this book, the attention of the reader is immediately drawn to the images. Colored pencil illustrations pop on every page as the reader flips through the book.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
Teaching the ASL alphabet by using this book as a resource would be more appropriate for higher elementary ages, beginning with 3rd grade. Making copies of the book to project onto a larger screen for students would be ideal to learn and display the proper hand signs of the alphabet. Students could learn the whole alphabet or even just their name.
Author: Laura Rankin
Illustrator: Laura Rankin
Genre: Alphabet (ABC) Book
Theme(s): Alphabet, Deaf, Signing
Opening Line/Sentence: “A”
Brief Book Summary:
The alphabet is signed in American Sign Language by a single hand. There is one hand sign per page, therefore one letter per page. Within the page there is an object that is displayed, in which the first letter of the word corresponds to the letter signed on the page. There is a large uppercase letter in the top left corner of every page.
Professional Recommendation/Review #1:
Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews)
Exquisitely detailed, realistically portrayed hands of different ages, sexes, and colors demonstrate the positions for the manual alphabet used in American Sign; an object with the appropriate initial appears with each--the pointing finger for "T" reaches toward a dripping icicle; "T" sports three thimbles and a fistful of thread; "X" appears on an X-ray. An elegant roman capital completes each beautifully designed color-pencil illustration. The key includes the lovely jacket and title-page pictures, each of which adds something special--e.g., the hand on the title-page is overlaid with some of the many styles of letters that may be represented by the signs. The point of view sometimes varies from signer to observer, but the illustrations are so admirably clear that this should cause no confusion. An excellent introduction.
Professional Recommendation/Review #2:
Beth Goodrich (Science Books and Films)
On each 8 1/2" x 11" page, this book shows an artful, creative, and accurate hand shape of a letter of the manual alphabet of American Sign Language (ASL). Each hand shape is accompanied by the corresponding letter of the written alphabet, making the work a useful tool for anyone learning the manual alphabet. In addition, each letter is matched with an alphabetic-related word; thus, the "A" shape grasps spears of asparagus, the "B" is surrounded by bubbles, etc. The drawings are colored pencil on charcoal paper, lovingly created with fine detail, and the printing quality is excellent. But more than a learning tool and more than well-done art, each whimsical page brings laughter or amusement, and even awe. While one might expect "A" to stand for asparagus and "B" for bubbles, there are pleasant surprises here that would capture the imaginative interest of any child or adult. This book is recommended for any young child interested in learning the ASL manual alphabet, in drawing, or in exercising the imagination. Recommended, Grades 3-4.
Response to Two Professional Reviews:
I was pleasantly thrilled to read the reviews based off of the ABC book I chose. Having personal experience with beginning level ASL, I completely agree with both reviewers about the uniqueness of this book. Both reviewers paid close attention to intricate detail of each hand drawn sketch, which in itself is remarkable. The correlation between the hand sign, the written letter of the alphabet and the item featured in each individual picture helps readers to register which letter they are looking at and learning from.
Evaluation of Literacy Elements:
This book is intended for a different viewpoint and approach from traditional classroom learning. Although there are no words or sentences featured in this book, the attention of the reader is immediately drawn to the images. Colored pencil illustrations pop on every page as the reader flips through the book.
Consideration of Instructional Application:
Teaching the ASL alphabet by using this book as a resource would be more appropriate for higher elementary ages, beginning with 3rd grade. Making copies of the book to project onto a larger screen for students would be ideal to learn and display the proper hand signs of the alphabet. Students could learn the whole alphabet or even just their name.
March 13, 2017
1. N/A
2. Pre-K -K
3. This book is very interesting to read because it is very educational. The pictures were realistic looking and well illustrated.
4. I thought that this book was very interesting because I don't know sign language. The books did a good demonstration of the signs.
5. Abc's
2. Pre-K -K
3. This book is very interesting to read because it is very educational. The pictures were realistic looking and well illustrated.
4. I thought that this book was very interesting because I don't know sign language. The books did a good demonstration of the signs.
5. Abc's
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews