Sign Language ABC
Heller begins with an invitation that gives hearing readers incentive to learn the manual alphabet: “Imagine being able to tell your friend a secret from way across the playground.” Unfortunately, the introductory remarks close with a gaffe: “Just open this book and learn your ABCs in American Sign Language,” incorrectly equating finger spelling with American Sign Language. That quibble aside, the book has much to like. Crisp digital images subtly hide the letter forms somewhere in the picture; in “C is for crab,” for instance, the C echoes the crab shape, while elsewhere the lion’s leg is angled like an L. The hand sign on every page is enclosed in a circle and clearly demonstrates how to form each letter. Also noteworthy is the fact that the hands represent a range of skin tones. From the astronaut to the zebra, humans and animals alike don smiles in this cheerful, instructive book. The final page repeats all of the hand signs, A to Z. Preschool-Grade 2. --Patricia Austin