’R’eading ‘I’s ‘F’undamental!
Last year my two youngest children attended the same preschool. A few times a year books were given to the children as part of the R.I.F. program run by our local Early Childhood Task Force.
On one such occasion, my son came home with “Sesame Street Sign Language ABC with Linda Bove.” With it’s very ‘dated’ looking cover I really wasn’t sure my kids would enjoy this book–but I was quite wrong.
The Book
Misc. Information
In the very beginning of “Sesame Street Sign Language ABC with Linda Bove” there is a note to parents about the beauty of sign language and the set-up of this book. Really it’s unnecessary, but it’s there nonetheless.
There’s also a short paragraph about Linda Bove. She’s a deaf actress who has been on the cast of Sesame Street among her other credits.
Set-Up
The design of “Sesame Street Sign Language ABC with Linda Bove” is very simple.
First there is an introduction from Linda. Picture by picture she signs, “Hello! My name is Linda. Follow me and learn you’re a-B-C’s.”
Each page has a large letter, next to a picture of Linda signing that letter. The page also contains a large illustration of something with that letter. For example, the letter A page shows a picture of an alligator holding an apple riding in a airplane.
There are then two to four pictures of Linda signing words that begin with the given letter. To continue my example using the letter A, there are pictures of her signing airplane, alligator, and apple.
The pictures are very easy to understand and follow. When dealing with signs that involve motions, arrows are used to indicate direction. My two older children (who were in Kindergarten and 2nd grade when we got this book) have ‘some’ experience with sign language in school, and they had no problems at all duplicating the signs in this book.
My Kids Thoughts
My kids just loved “Sesame Street Sign Language ABC with Linda Bove.” They are learning sign language in school already, so this book is good for reinforcing what they’ve learned of the alphabet as well as teaching them new signs.
I leave this book in the car sometimes, and it keeps my kids occupied on road trips. They are learning something and enjoying themselves at the same time.
My Thoughts
I love “Sesame Street Sign Language ABC with Linda Bove.” I’ve always been interested in sign language, having only a rudimentary knowledge of it myself. There have been things that even I have been able to learn from this book.
The pictures and illustrations in “Sesame Street Sign Language ABC with Linda Bove” are a little dated (proof of the 1985 copyright date). My kids don’t seem to care though, it’s just fun and learning for them. Still, a more updated version of this book might be nice.
I love the clear, easy-to-follow illustrations. There are times when one of my kids (usually the younger ones) has some confusion over a given sign, but it’s very easy for me to see what motion is intended and give them a little help as needed–not that much help is actually needed the pictures are so clear!
Recommendation
While “Sesame Street Sign Language ABC with Linda Bove” is certainly not for an advanced student of sign language, it’s an excellent book for kids about 3-8. I would recommend it highly!
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