Great Sign Language Books and Videos, A Selective Bibliography

BAHAN, & Joe Dannis. Signs for Me: Basic Sign Vocabulary for Children, Parents, & Teachers. Dawn Sign Press. 1990.
With an informative introduction, clear organization, easy-to-follow line drawings, and illustrations for each concept, this book is a classic ASL resource.

BOVE, Linda. Sesame Street Sign Language ABC with Linda Bove. Random. 1985.
A perennial favorite, this book offers both colorful illustrations and crisp, full-color photos of the deaf actress performing the signs.

CHAMBERS, Diane. Communicating in Sign: Creative Ways to Learn American Sign Language. Fireside. 1998.
Especially appropriate for older elementary and middle school students who want to explore the language in-depth, this title offers vocabulary, grammar, ASL structure, and activities and games.

FLODIN, Mickey. Signing For Kids. Putnam. 1991.
The first signing manual written for kids, this guide presents a host of signs in an easy-to-follow, large format. Included among the subjects are the manual alphabet, pets and animals, food, sports, school, family and friends, money, and numbers.

GREENE, Laura & Eva Barash Dicker. Sign-Me-Fine. Watts.1995.
This title goes beyond the basic information available in other books on sign language to provide an in-depth examination of American Sign Language.

KRAMER, Jackie & Tali Ovadia.You Can Learn Sign Language! : More than 300 Words in Pictures. Troll. 1999.
A bold visual style and crisp clear photograph mark this book of ASL vocabulary.

MILLMAN, Isaac. Moses Goes to a Concert.1998; Moses Goes to School. 2000; Moses Goes to the Circus. 2003. all Farrar.
These excellent picture books incorporate basic sign language instruction into stories of a Moses, who is deaf. The illustrations are child-friendly and clearly depict the signs that are related to the story. Of special note is Moses Goes to School, which offers a look at everyday life in a school for the deaf.

VOTRY, Kim. Baby's First Signs. 2001; MoreBaby's First Signs. 2001; Out for a Walk. 2003; Baby's First Colors. 2003. all Gallaudet Univ.
These colorful board books feature bold illustrations of everyday objects and activities, accompanied by clear pencil drawings demonstrating the signs for each. A great introduction to ASL for deaf and hearing children alike.

WARNER, Penny. Learn to Sign the Fun Way: Let Your Fingers Do the Talking with Games, Puzzles, and Activities in American Sign Language. Prima. 2001.
This book is packed with vocabulary, depicted in clear, kid-friendly drawings and organized into well-defined chapters that give a host of cultural information without overwhelming young readers. A section of simple sign language games at the back is of especial use to teachers.

WHEELER, Cindy. Simple Signs.1995; More Simple Signs. 1998. both Viking.
Especially appropriate for preschoolers, these colorful books combine kid-friendly concept illustrations with line drawings clearly depicting sign production and hints for remembering the signs.

Baby See 'n Sign: Volume 1. 2001; Volume 2. 2003. both Two Little Hands Productions.
These videos are hosted by Johanna Larsen-Muhr, who is a CODA (child of deaf adults) and a native signer. A variety of youngsters demonstrate the signs, which are well-chosen for young children and are repeated several times. The first volume offers an especially useful segment presented by Larsen-Muhr that offers additional contextual information for parents about using ASL with babies.

Beginning American Sign Language Videocourse, Volumes 1-15. Sign Enhancers. 1991, 1992.
This is a comprehensive videocourse designed for middle and high school students (and adults), but elementary students interested in ASL will find it just an enlightening and easy to follow. Each video introduces new vocabulary, then shows an entirely signed segment with the 'Bravo family' that uses the vocabulary and also introduces Deaf culture concepts in a seamless and entertaining fashion. This series is a must for any library committed to providing excellent sign language materials.

I Want to Learn Sign Language, Volumes I & II. American Production Services. 2001.
Gallaudet University graduate Karen Green plays 'mom' in this video, and teaches her two daughters basic sign language in preparation for a visit from their deaf cousin. Vocabulary segments are divided by topic, and this video does an excellent job of addressing Deaf culture and history, as well as the feelings of a variety of deaf people.

Once Upon a Time: Children's Classics Retold in American Sign Language. series signed by Ben Bahan and Nathie Marbury. Dawn Sign Press. 1991.
This excellent series of six videotapes features classic fairy tales such as 'Rapunzel' signed by native signers, with English voiceover. An accompanying workbook teaches some of the basic signs used in each story.

Peter Cook, ASL Storyteller: From a Gator Ride to the Dentist's Office. 1998; The United States of ASL Poetry and Other Tales. 1998. both P.C. Productions.
Internationally acclaimed Deaf poet and storyteller Peter Cook tells stories and poems through pantomime and acting accessible to both hearing and deaf audiences.

Read with Me series. 10 videotapes. Sign Enhancers. www.signenhancers.com.
These excellent videos are designed to encourage hearing parents of deaf children to share literature in ASL, but are fun for any child. Thomas Holcomb translates favorite picture books, such as Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are (Harper & Row, 1963) in ASL.

See What I Mean: Differences Between Deaf and Hearing Cultures. Eye to Eye Productions. 2001.
Presented by Thomas K. Holcomb & Anna Mindess, this funny and entertaining video clearly shows the differences between Deaf and hearing cultures, with a little help from 'Miss Deaf Manners' and 'Miss Hearing Manners'.

Sign ASL? Sure You Can! Florida First Coast Signing Video Productions or at www.DrSign.com.
Presented by deaf instructor Dr. Mike Tuccelli, this crash course in the unique features and structure of ASL offers new insights whether the viewer is just starting out or an experienced signer. Complete voiceover interpretation makes this video accessible to everyone.

Sign Me a Story. Random House Home Video. 1987.
This classic video stars Linda Bove, best known for her role as Linda on Sesame Street, in three classic fairy tales with live actors against picture book backdrops. It features a voiceover, making the signing accessible to hearing children. As Chris Wixtrom points out, this video is a universal favorite: 'Deaf people like it, and hearing people who know absolutely nothing about deafness or ASL like it. In fact, I would not hesitate to say that this one video has probably awakened more interest in ASL and respect for deaf people in the general public and is more recognized in the hearing community than any other.'

Signing Time! series. Signing Time Productions: Volume I: My First Signs. 2002; Volume 2: Playtime Signs. 2002; Volume 3: Everyday Signs. 2002.
Available on both DVD and VHS, this is hands-down the best sign language series for young children. Each segment includes both hearing and deaf kids signing simple signs, and review segments featuring fun songs and stories reinforce vocabulary. Excellent segments geared to parents offer information about such topics as ASL grammar and tips for using the program with young children.

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