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These 3 books have been recommended by another parent as excellent starting places for those who care for or have contact with a child who uses sign language.

	Can I Help? : Helping the Hearing Impaired in Emergency Situations (Beginning Sign Language) by S. Harold Collins. ISBN:0931993571. Organized for a hearing person to assist a hearing impaired person in need of help. Suggestions, signs, and vocabulary are presented in five chapters: Helping; In an Emergency; Phones and the Hearing Impaired; Giving Directions; and Medical Help. In addition a Quick Reference Guide and Vocabulary Index allow immediate access to signs.
	Caring for Young Children : Signing for Day Care Providers & Sitters (Beginning Sign Language) by S. Harold Collins. ISBN: 093199358X. Provides illustrated signs, vocabulary, and phrases to help child care providers and sitters in situations involving hearing impaired children. The chapters are: Basic Signs, Feelings, Directions, Activities, Food, Bed Time, Discipline, and Comfort. A Vocabulary Index provides quick access to signs.
	Signing at School (Beginning Sign Language Series) by S. Harold Collins. ISBN: 0931993474.  simple signs are presented and combined to communicate in the school setting. These signs and sentences also have use outside of the school and in the community at large. The book is organized into five sections: Learning the Finger Alphabet; Asking Questions and Getting Answers; Courtesies and Greetings; Giving Directions; and, Words Around School.

1 2 3: Sign With Me (Sign With Me) by Susan P. Shroyer. ISBN: 0939849011. This book is out of print.

A Place for Grace by Jean Davies Okimoto. ISBN: 157061069X. Reading level: Ages 9-12. Grace is a little dog with big dreams. After discovering she's too small to become a seeing-eye dog, she meets Charlie, a deaf man who believes Grace would make the ideal hearing-aid dog. Grace provides an inspiring model for any child facing obstacles at school or at home. It can also help children appreciate people with disabilities and give readers the opportunity to learn the American Sign Language alphabet. 

A Very Special Sister by Dorothy H. Levi. ISBN: 0930323963. Ages 4-8. A picture book. Laura, who is deaf, is excited about becoming a big sister, but she worries that a new baby who can hear might get more love from their mother than she does. Text and illustrations provide instructions for signing eight words. 

Abc-Sign With Me (Sign With Me) by Susan P. Shroyer. ISBN: 0939849003.

An Alphabet of Animal Signs (Beginning Sign Language Series) by S. Harold Collins. ISBN: 0931993652.

Ann Elizabeth Signs With Love by Annetta E. Dellinger. ISBN: 0570041929. Reading Level: Ages 4-8. Ann Elizabeth can turn cartwheels, count to 100, play games, go fishing, bake chocolate chip cookies. Ann Elizabeth is also deaf. She uses sign language to tell others about Jesus and to sign the Bible Song, "Jesus Loves Me." Signs are provided for each word of the song. This book is out of print.

Circus Time in Signed English by Harry Bornstein. ISBN: 0913580511. Reading Level: Ages 4-8.

Clock Book in Signed English by Harry Bornstein. ISBN: 0913580481. Reading Level: Baby-Preschool.

Colors : Sign With Me (Sign With Me) by Susan P. Shroyer. ISBN: 093984902X. This book is out of print.

Count and Color in Signed English by Harry Bornstein. ISBN: 0913580201. Reading Level: Ages 4-8.

Dina the Deaf Dinosaur by Carole Addabbo. ISBN: 1889262048. Reading Level: Ages 4-8. Dina, a deaf dinosaur, runs away from home because her parents will not let her learn sign language even though it would allow her to communicate more complicated ideas. In the forest Dina meets Otto the owl, Camilla the chipmunk, and Moliere the mole. Fortunately, Otto learned some sign language years before when he lived below a deaf dove. Dina teaches them the sign language alphabet and a few words. They invited her to stay with them.

Discovering Sign Language by Laura Greene. ISBN: 0930323483. Reading Level: Young Adult. Describes how people use sign language to communicate, discusses different sign language systems and the evolution of sign language in several different countries, provides information about deaf people, and explains hearing loss and the significance of the age when the loss occurs. Additional chapters include sign language games and presents a story in sign, "How the Seasons Came to Be." Signs at the end of each chapter relate to the topics discussed in that chapter. Includes 19 pages of sign illustrations.

Don't Be a Grumpy Bear: A Coloring Book About Manners (Signed English) by Harry Borstein. ISBN: 0930323262. Reading Level: Ages 4-8. Children will increase their sign vocabulary skills and have hours of fun coloring this perennial favorite.

Duchess : A Story in Words and Sign Language by Joan Marie Loreto. ISBN: 0939331012. Reading Level: Baby-Preschool. Duchess is the story of a young deaf boy and his dog, Duchess. The boy attends a hearing school where some of his friends are learning sign language. When his class begins to learn some songs that they will perform at a school show, the boy learns the songs in sign language. He practices signing the songs to Duchess every night. On the night of the show, the boy gets very nervous on stage and forgets the signs. Then he remembers his many practice sessions with Duchess and is able to sign as his classmates sign.

Friends Are for Signing by Timothy Jackson. ISBN: 0913072516. Reading Level: Young Adult. This book, in comic book form, features the characters from the comic strip, "What Are Friends For?" The characters -- Vix, Dynasty, Bookworm, and Nyphid -- register for a sign language class offered at their school. Vix wants to learn to sign so she can talk to a cute deaf boy at school. Several signs are illustrated and introduced in categories (colors, family members, days of the week).

Goldilocks and the Three Bears in Signed English ISBN: 0913580066. Reading Level: Baby-Preschool.

Grandfather Moose: Children's Sign Language Book with Rhymes, Games & Chants by Harley Hamilton. ISBN: 0916708217. Reading Level: Ages 4-8.

Handmade Alphabet by Laura Rankin. ISBN: 0803709749. Reading Level: All Ages. Contains full-page, full-color illustrations for each of the 26 letters of the manual alphabet along with an illustration of an object whose spelling begins with the letter, for example, "c" cup, "v" valentine, "x" x-ray.

Handmade Counting Book by Laura Rankin. ISBN: 0803723091. Reading level: Ages 4-8. In her new book, this gifted artist shows readers how to count using ASL, pairing the signs for the numbers 1-20, 25, 50, 75, and 100 with beautifully drawn objects ranging from lifelike butterflies to bright windup toys. Each picture is at once a joyful invitation to learn counting and a fascinating introduction to the eloquent language of signing.

Handtalk : An ABC of Finger Spelling and Sign Language by Remy Charlip ISBN: 0027181308. Reading Level: Ages 4-8. Introduces the manual alphabet through full-page color photographs that spell each word at the bottom of each page both in the manual alphabet and in English print, and also depicts a sign for the same word. This title is out of print.

Handtalk Birthday : A Number and Story Book in Sign Language by Remy Charlip. ISBN: 0027180808. Reading Level: Ages 4-8. Friends of a deaf woman give her a surprise birthday party. As the woman tries to guess what is in each box according to its shape and size, she and her friends happily communicate in sign language and fingerspelling. This title is out of print.

Handtalk School by Mary Beth Miller. ISBN: 0027009122. Reading Level: Ages 4-8. Words and sign language depict a group of students involved in putting on a Thanksgiving play at a school for deaf children.

Handtalk Zoo by George Ancona. ISBN: 0027008010. Reading Level: All Ages. Deaf storyteller Mary Beth and a group of her young friends take a trip to the zoo. Full color photographs depict Mary Beth and her friends communicating in sign language about the animals at the zoo. The signs for various zoo animals and the signs for time are emphasized throughout the story for the benefit of new signers.

Happy Birthday! : A Beginners Book of Signs by Angela M. Bednarczyk. ISBN: 1887734058. Reading Level: Baby-Preschool.

Holiday Book in Signed English by Harry Bornstein. ISBN: 0913580309. Reading Level: Baby-Preschool.

I Can Sign My ABC's by Susan Chaplin. ISBN: 093032319X. Reading Level: Ages 4-8. Includes the written form of each letter of the English alphabet accompanied by a picture of a sign that translates to a word that starts with the particular letter. For example, the letter "A" is paired with the sign that means apple in American Sign Language. Pictures of the handshapes of the manual alphabet are included for each letter as well.

I Want to Be a Farmer in Signed English by Harry Bornstein. ISBN: 0913580147. Reading Level: Baby-Preschool.

Jack and the Beanstalk in Signed English by Harry Bornstein. ISBN: 0913580473. Reading Level: Ages 4-8.

Jungle Parade: A Signing Game by Marcia Vaughan. ISBN: 0673363376. Reading Level: Ages 4-8.

Just for Fun : Nature Stories in Sign Language by Barbara H. Robbins. ISBN: 0963006002.

King Midas : With Selected Sentences in American Sign Language by Nathaniel Hawthorne. ISBN: 0930323750. Presents the classic tale of the king who wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. Line drawing depict selected sentences in American Sign language.

Little Red Riding Hood in Signed English by Harry Bornstein. ISBN: 0930323637. Reading Level: Ages 9-12.

More Simple Signs by Cindy Wheeler. ISBN: 0670874779. Reading Level: Ages 4-8. A watercolor painting illustrates the object, action, or idea, while an ink drawing shows a child demonstrating the hand position and motion for the sign. demonstrates the American Sign Language
alphabet, plus signs for 31 basic words and phrases.

Moses Goes to a Concert by Isaac Millman. ISBN: 0374350671. Reading Level: Ages 4-8. A picture book. Composed with the help of educators at New York City's School for the Deaf, this book gives readers a hands-on introduction to American Sign Language, with easy-to-follow diagrams of signs accompanying the bright, cheerful pictures and the hand alphabet at the end of the book.

Mouse's Christmas Eve in Signed English by Harry Bornstein. ISBN: 0913580287. Reading Level: Ages 4-8.

My Animal Book (Signed English Series) by Jack L. Fennell. ISBN: 0930323386.

My First Book of Sign by Pamela J. Baker. ISBN: 0930323203. Reading Level: Ages 4-8. This alphabet book illustrates 150 signs for words young children use frequently. The illustrations feature a child making the sign, the object, action, or feeling that the sign represents, and the English word. The sign descriptions in the index explain the handshapes, hand positions, and hand movements needed to make the signs.

My First Book of Sign Language by Joan Holub. ISBN: 081674033X. Reading level: Ages 4-8.

My Signing Book of Numbers by Patricia B. Gillen. ISBN: 0930323378. Reading Level: Baby-Preschool. Each number from one through 20 is depicted on a two-page spread. Illustrations feature a child signing the number and an object or class of similar objects that a child reader can count. Illustrations for the decades, one thousand, and one million are included. An index provides information about signing numbers and brief discussions of signing, fingerspelling, and facial expression. Signs for the 32 objects depicted in the text are illustrated and described in the index as well.

My Toy Book in Signed English by Harry Borstein. ISBN: 0913580228. Reading Level: Ages 4-8.

Nursery Rhymes from Mother Goose in Signed English by Harry Bornstein. ISBN: 0930323998. Reading Level: Ages 9-12. Picture book.

Oliver in the City in Signed English by Harry Bornstein. ISBN: 091358049X. Reading Level: Ages 4-8.

Pet Shop in Signed English by Harry Borstein. ISBN: 0913580546. Reading Level: Ages 4-8.

Piggyback Songs to Sign by Jean Warren. ISBN: 0911019537. Reading Level: Ages 4-8.

Police Officer Jones (Signed English Series) by Harry Bornstein. ISBN: 0913580538. Reading Level: Ages 4-8.

Sign Language ABC With Linda Bove by Linda Bove. ISBN: 0394875168. Reading Level: Ages 4-8. Photographs of Linda Bove show each letter of the alphabet and depict signs for English words beginning with a specific letter. For example, the signs for airplane, alligator, apple are introduced with the letter :a.: Sentences and greetings also appear.

Sign-Me-Fine : Experiencing American Sign Language by Laura Greene. ISBN: 0930323769. Reading Level: Young Adult. An introductory book about American Sign Language (ASL), the visual gestural language used by most deaf people in the United States and Canada. The book contains background information about ASL as well as information about the parts and structure of the language. Practice dialogues and sign language games are included in t he book for beginning signers. The last chapter of the book contains information about the role of music and poetry in the deaf community.

Signing for Kids by Mickey Flodin. ISBN: 0399516727. Reading Level: Young Adult. Seventeen chapters include such categories as pets and animals, snacks and food, family, friends, travel and holidays, time, days, seasons, and weather. Introductory materials include tips to make signing easier and some facts about deafness. The American manual alphabet and fingerspelling activities appear in chapter one.

Signing Is Fun/A Child's Introduction to the Basics of Sign Language! by Mickey Flodin. ISBN: 0399521739. Reading Level: Young Adult. Starting with the alphabet and working up to everyday phrases, this volume uses clear instructions on how to begin using American Sign Language and features an informative introduction to signing and its importance.

Signs for Me : Basic Sign Vocabulary for Children* by Ben Bahan. ISBN: 0915035278. Reading Level: All Ages. More than 300 signs are included in this sign language book for children. The signs are organized in sections headed "verbs," "adjectives," "nouns," and "pronouns." Each section introduces topics such as feelings and opposites (adjectives), people, family, animals, transportation, safety.

Simple Signs by Cindy Wheeler. ISBN: 0140556737. Reading Level: Ages 4-8. Demonstrates through illustrations and brief text twenty-nine American Sign Language signs for words such as hello, cry, dog, and love.

Sleeping Beauty : With Selected Sentences in American Sign Language by Robert Newby. ISBN: 0930323971. Reading Level: Ages 4-8.

Songs in Sign by S. Harold Collins. ISBN: 0931993717. Six songs in Signed English with easy-to-follow illustrations.

Tale of Peter Rabbit Coloring Book (Signed English) by Harry Bornstein. ISBN: 0930323297. Reading Level: Ages 4-8. This book is out of print.

The Gingerbread Man (Signed English Series) by Harry Bornstein. ISBN: 091358052X. Reading Level: Ages 4-8. This book is out of print.

The Night Before Christmas: Told in Signed English by Clement C. Moore. ISBN: 1563680203. Reading Level: Ages 4-8.

Three Little Pigs (Signed English) by Harry Bornstein. ISBN: 0913580090. Reading Level: Baby-Preschool.

Ugly Duckling in Signed English by Hans Christian Andersen. ISBN: 0913580295. Reading Level: Baby-Preschool.

Weather: Sign With Me (Sign With Me) by Susan P. Shroyer. ISBN: 0939849038.

We're Going to the Doctor in Signed English by Harry Bornstein. ISBN: 0913580260. Reading Level: Ages 4-8

When I Grow Up (Turtle Books) by Candri Hodges. ISBN: 0944727263. Jimmy, who is deaf, attends Career Day where he meets deaf adults with varied and interesting careers, who communicate using sign language. Includes diagrams illustrating signs for some of the words in the text.

Where's Spot? (Sign Language) by Eric Hill. ISBN: 039921478X. Reading Level: Baby-Preschool. Pictures only.

You Can Learn Sign Language  by Jackie Kramer, Tali Ovadia, John Smith. ISBN: 0816763364. Reading Level: Grades 3-7. Beginning with a brief explanation of American Sign Language (ASL), the authors proceed through the alphabet and numbers, and then present colorful two-page spreads of photos and cartoons dealing with emotions, family, clothes, food, school, sports, and other subjects. Each sign is explained in a caption ("Touch your chin with your thumb") and presented in a clear color photo of a child demonstrating it. The multiethnic youngsters have expressive faces and appear to range from upper-elementary to middle-school age. The text also includes brief explanations of the origins of some signs and of how teletypewriters (TTYs) work. A lively, easy-to-understand introduction to ASL.

You Don't Need Words: A Book About Ways People Talk Without Words by Ruth Belov Gross. ISBN: 0590438972. Reading Level: Ages 9-12. A book for young people about the ways to communicate non-verbally. Included are gestures, American Sign Language, Indian Sign Language, facial expressions and body language, commonly accepted hand signals, international symbols, and Indian and Hobo picture writing. 

"Pictures only" means there is very little text in the book.

"Picture book" means there are pictures with text.

"Beginning chapter book" means there are chapters, large text, and pictures on most pages.

"Chapter book" means the book is mostly text and there may or may not be pictures. 

Listen Up is not currently available through Amazon.com but you can get your copy directly from the author by visiting http://members.tripod.com/~listenup/page2.htm

Descriptions for many of these children's books comes from the National Information Center on Deafness' Have You Ever Wondered About Hearing Loss and Deafness?: An Annotated Bibliography of Children's Books About Deaf And Hard Of Hearing People. You can purchase your copy of this publication from them if you want your own copy of this resource. Listen Up would like to thank NICD for allowing us to use their descriptions so that you may make the best possible selection for your child.