Recommended Picture Books and Stories
About American Sign Language & Deafness
compiled by Kathy MacMillan
info@kathymacmillan.com
Dad and Me in the Morning by Patricia Lakin. (Whitman, 1994)
Early one morning, when it is still dark, a young boy wakes to his special alarm
clock. He puts on his hearing aid and his clothes, then goes to wake his father.
Together they walk down to the beach. Jacob cannot hear, so he and his father
sign or lipread or just squeeze each other's hands. This poetic
story is beautifully illustrated in glowing watercolors.
The Garden Wall by Phyllis Limbacher Tildes. (Charlesbridge, 2006)
Tim is taken aback when he learns that his new neighbor is not only a girl, but
is also deaf. When he is assigned to work with her to perform a fable at school,
he’s nervous - but as he gets to know Maria, their performance of “The Hearing
Country Mouse and the Deaf City Mouse” comes together, and they become
friends. This story introduces some basic sign language as well as information
about the technology used by Deaf people.
The Handmade Alphabet by Laura Rankin (Dial Books, 1991)
The language of signing communicates with lyrical clarity and creativity. To
celebrate its expressiveness, artist Laura Rankin presents her striking
interpretation of the manual alphabet. Here, the hand that signs "V" holds a
valentine, "I" points to delicate icicles, and "O" dangles a shining ornament. Full-
color illustrations.
The Handmade Counting Book by Laura Rankin. (Dial Books, 1998)
The acclaimed author of "The Handmade Alphabet" now presents a book that
pairs American Sign Language signs for the numbers 1-20, 25, 50, 75, and 100
with beautifully drawn objects.
Handtalk Zoo by George Ancona & Mary Beth. (Four Winds Press, 1989)
As they make their way through the zoo, a group of children sign and
fingerspell the names of the animals. In addition to signing animal names, the
telling of time is expressed with the signing of numbers 1--12 in a clocklike
shape. Vibrant color photographs depict the action of the story and
the signing, while black-and-white insets show the fingerspelling.
The Moses books by Isaac Millman (Farrar Straus & Giroux): Moses Goes to a
Concert (1998), Moses Goes to School (2000) , Moses Goes to the Circus (2003), Moses
Sees a Play (2004)
These excellent picture books incorporate basic sign language instruction into
stories of a little boy named Moses, who is deaf. The illustrations are child-
friendly and clearly depict the signs, which 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.
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 6 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.
The Printer by Myron Uhlberg (Peachtree, 2003)
This unique picture book presents the tale of a deaf printer who, through the
use of American Sign Language, is able to communicate with other deaf printers
over the roar of the printing presses, and save their hearing counterparts from a
fire.
Read with Me series (10 videotapes) (Sign Enhancers).
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.
Secret Signs: Along the Underground Railroad by Anita Riggio. (Boyds Mills Press,
1997)
In the mid-1800s, Luke and his mother help support themselves by making
panoramic eggs of maple sugar. When a man bursts into their home and accuses
them of hiding slaves, Luke's mother denies the charges--although she is
planning to meet her contact on the Underground Railroad that very
day. With his mother held at home, Luke, who is deaf, must use his resources
and creative talents to help make the connection.
Sesame Street Sign Language ABC with Linda Bove ( Random House, 1985)
A perennial favorite, this book offers both colorful illustrations and crisp, full-
color photos of deaf actress Linda Bove performing the signs.
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.
About American Sign Language & Deafness
compiled by Kathy MacMillan
info@kathymacmillan.com
Dad and Me in the Morning by Patricia Lakin. (Whitman, 1994)
Early one morning, when it is still dark, a young boy wakes to his special alarm
clock. He puts on his hearing aid and his clothes, then goes to wake his father.
Together they walk down to the beach. Jacob cannot hear, so he and his father
sign or lipread or just squeeze each other's hands. This poetic
story is beautifully illustrated in glowing watercolors.
The Garden Wall by Phyllis Limbacher Tildes. (Charlesbridge, 2006)
Tim is taken aback when he learns that his new neighbor is not only a girl, but
is also deaf. When he is assigned to work with her to perform a fable at school,
he’s nervous - but as he gets to know Maria, their performance of “The Hearing
Country Mouse and the Deaf City Mouse” comes together, and they become
friends. This story introduces some basic sign language as well as information
about the technology used by Deaf people.
The Handmade Alphabet by Laura Rankin (Dial Books, 1991)
The language of signing communicates with lyrical clarity and creativity. To
celebrate its expressiveness, artist Laura Rankin presents her striking
interpretation of the manual alphabet. Here, the hand that signs "V" holds a
valentine, "I" points to delicate icicles, and "O" dangles a shining ornament. Full-
color illustrations.
The Handmade Counting Book by Laura Rankin. (Dial Books, 1998)
The acclaimed author of "The Handmade Alphabet" now presents a book that
pairs American Sign Language signs for the numbers 1-20, 25, 50, 75, and 100
with beautifully drawn objects.
Handtalk Zoo by George Ancona & Mary Beth. (Four Winds Press, 1989)
As they make their way through the zoo, a group of children sign and
fingerspell the names of the animals. In addition to signing animal names, the
telling of time is expressed with the signing of numbers 1--12 in a clocklike
shape. Vibrant color photographs depict the action of the story and
the signing, while black-and-white insets show the fingerspelling.
The Moses books by Isaac Millman (Farrar Straus & Giroux): Moses Goes to a
Concert (1998), Moses Goes to School (2000) , Moses Goes to the Circus (2003), Moses
Sees a Play (2004)
These excellent picture books incorporate basic sign language instruction into
stories of a little boy named Moses, who is deaf. The illustrations are child-
friendly and clearly depict the signs, which 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.
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 6 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.
The Printer by Myron Uhlberg (Peachtree, 2003)
This unique picture book presents the tale of a deaf printer who, through the
use of American Sign Language, is able to communicate with other deaf printers
over the roar of the printing presses, and save their hearing counterparts from a
fire.
Read with Me series (10 videotapes) (Sign Enhancers).
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.
Secret Signs: Along the Underground Railroad by Anita Riggio. (Boyds Mills Press,
1997)
In the mid-1800s, Luke and his mother help support themselves by making
panoramic eggs of maple sugar. When a man bursts into their home and accuses
them of hiding slaves, Luke's mother denies the charges--although she is
planning to meet her contact on the Underground Railroad that very
day. With his mother held at home, Luke, who is deaf, must use his resources
and creative talents to help make the connection.
Sesame Street Sign Language ABC with Linda Bove ( Random House, 1985)
A perennial favorite, this book offers both colorful illustrations and crisp, full-
color photos of deaf actress Linda Bove performing the signs.
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.
American Sign Language Services
from
Kathy MacMillan
ASL interpreter, instructor, consultant, writer, and signing storyteller
from
Kathy MacMillan
ASL interpreter, instructor, consultant, writer, and signing storyteller
| Stories By Hand: Programs for all ages |
| ASL Workshops: professional development |
| ASL Instruction |
| Publications |
| Resources |
Kathy MacMillan 7 Beth Court ~ Owings Mills MD 21117 443-739-0716 ~ info@kathymacmillan.com Page last updated 7/6/10 |
-Overview
-Program descriptions
-Collaborative Summer Reading
-Sign language birthday parties
-What others say
-Upcoming performances
-Book a program
-Upcoming classes
-Private tutoring
-Classes by request
-Overview
-Workshop descriptions
-Workshop participants say
-Book a workshop
-Books
-Articles
-Recommended ASL
resources
-Tips for working with an
interpreter
-Signing with babies
-How to communicate with
someone who is deaf
-Program descriptions
-Collaborative Summer Reading
-Sign language birthday parties
-What others say
-Upcoming performances
-Book a program
-Upcoming classes
-Private tutoring
-Classes by request
-Overview
-Workshop descriptions
-Workshop participants say
-Book a workshop
-Books
-Articles
-Recommended ASL
resources
-Tips for working with an
interpreter
-Signing with babies
-How to communicate with
someone who is deaf