My Signing Book of Numbers
PreS This oversized picture book presents American Signed English for the numbers 1-20; then 30-100 by tens; and 1,000 and 1,000,000 in order to teach how to sign the numbers. The objects counted are familiar, and signing is correctly and clearly showndotted lines show the initial position of fingers, an arrow indicates movement, and solid lines show final position. Each spread also shows the numeral, the number word, and the name of the object. Although the illustrations depict children with cutesy chubby cheeks, wide eyes, and vacuous smiles, they are clear and colorful, and some of the children are shown wearing hearing aids. At the end of the book, information about American Sign Language is provided for parents and teachers, noting the distinctions between signing and finger-spelling and the importance of facial expression. Pictured again are the signs for the numbers 1-20, the American Manual Alphabet, and signs for the objects counted with brief how-to descriptions. This type of material is needed and in demand, and this book provides solid basic information and clear signing. Yet it lacks creativity in conveying the information that other titles such as Remy Charlip's Handtalk ABC (1974) and Handtalk Birthday (1987, both Macmillan) possess. Susan Nemeth McCarthy, Arlington County Public Library, Va.Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.