Signs for Me: Basic Sign Vocabulary for Children, Parents & Teachers

My daughter has become fascinated with sign language since entering kindergarten. She needed a source that could help her learn more than just the alphabet. This book has such clear illustrations that she is able to learn the signs on her own. The organization of the signs in the book allows us to look up words quickly and easily. Her confidence has been boosted, as well, since she is able to take some control over which signs she learns. She loves sign language, and "SIGNS FOR ME" has joined the stuffed animals and special blankets that go to bed with her each night.

I am a Deaf woman who uses ASL both at school, at work, and also at my church. I bought this book for a family with 3 children of a variety of ages with the youngest boy being six or seven. He is very interested in signing, and watches both me and my interpreter like a hawk. When I sign sing or teach the children at church to sign sing, these 3 would always consistently sign and do it well. To encourage those who want to learn how to sign, especially children, I tend to buy books or CD-ROMs for them. The need for decent interpreters is tremendous, and just as those who are activists in the Deaf/disabled community are pushing for ASL to be taught as a second language in schools, we try to encourage those around us who express an interest. The drawings are great. The vocabulary is more than a beginner's ABC book. The book will not teach syntax or how the Deaf community uses their language, but it is a good place to start. Again, I have to emphasize the difficulty in teaching a 3 dimensional language with a book which is limited to 2 or 1 dimension. But anything that encourages children to learn a language and perceive the Deaf as equals with a different language (and interesting) is to be lauded. I always tell children and adolescents that signing for the Deaf is a great way to put themselves through college...in Pittsburgh, the rate is between $25-$35 an hour, and ASL is used at schools, in courts, at hospitals and doctors. Karen Sadler, Science Education, University of Pittsburgh

This book is a fabulous addition to any library. My 7 year old is facinated with sign language and was thrilled to find a book he could use by himself to learn new signs. We have been through many bookshelves and have yet to find anything that even comes close to this for ease of use and content. We have just bought more copies for our friends' children so that they can understand our new language.

I have used this book with students, parents and staff who want to learn sign language at all levels from pre-school to high school. The addition of simple pictures next to the sign was extreemly helpful.

"Signs For Me" is marvelous! I know three children (2 of whom are not yet reading) ages 6-10 who are able to look up and learn new signs with little help from an adult (and sometimes with none at all). The reason is the format: English words are arranged alphabetically and by category, and each one has a picture with it. For example, if you look up "giraffe" you will see the word, a drawing of the animal, and a drawing of how to form the sign. The pictorial aspect of the language really comes through, as children can see that many signs "look like" the concepts that they represent.