Hand Talk: Learning American Sign Language
The books in the Hand Talk series, by author Barbara Champion, introduce children to American Sign Language (ASL) in a way that enables them to understand that being unable to communicate orally is a frustration that can be overcome. Children can read about the fun and ornery character of Reni, a boy who is both spirited and vulnerable because of his fears about not being able to be understood. Children learn alongside Reni; the back half of each book contains specific written instructions for making each sign in the book, as well as photos and QR codes that link to videos of the author signing each word or phrase.
While the books are certainly helpful for deaf or hard-of-hearing children and those around them, they also teach valuable nonverbal communication skills to special-needs children, minimally verbal children, and very young children, as well as their parents, teachers, caregivers, and anyone else who engages with a child who struggles with spoken language. They are also a fun way to learn the basics of sign language for those kids who would like to learn a new skill.
Barbara Champion has a degree in interpreting and has been working with special needs children since 1999, both through her work and with her own family. Her students include those who are deaf/hard of hearing, nonverbal, autistic, and those with special needs such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and others. Champion says: “All of these children have benefited from learning to communicate with sign language. In fact, some of these kids had no language at all before they came into our program and are now able to communicate their feelings, needs, and imagination.”
Readers of the Hand Talk series may also be interested in Royal Fireworks Press's novels about deaf children.
The books in the Hand Talk series, by author Barbara Champion, introduce children to American Sign Language (ASL) in a way that enables them to understand that being unable to communicate orally is a frustration that can be overcome. Children can read about the fun and ornery character of Reni, a boy who is both spirited and vulnerable because of his fears about not being able to be understood. Children learn alongside Reni; the back half of each book contains specific written instructions for making each sign in the book, as well as photos and QR codes that link to videos of the author signing each word or phrase.
While the books are certainly helpful for deaf or hard-of-hearing children and those around them, they also teach valuable nonverbal communication skills to special-needs children, minimally verbal children, and very young children, as well as their parents, teachers, caregivers, and anyone else who engages with a child who struggles with spoken language. They are also a fun way to learn the basics of sign language for those kids who would like to learn a new skill.
Barbara Champion has a degree in interpreting and has been working with special needs children since 1999, both through her work and with her own family. Her students include those who are deaf/hard of hearing, nonverbal, autistic, and those with special needs such as cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and others. Champion says: “All of these children have benefited from learning to communicate with sign language. In fact, some of these kids had no language at all before they came into our program and are now able to communicate their feelings, needs, and imagination.”
Readers of the Hand Talk series may also be interested in Royal Fireworks Press' novels about deaf children.
Books in this series
Hand Talk: Reni's Feelings
Subtitle: Learn How to Sign Your Feelings with Reni
Author: Champion, Barbara
Subjects: Guidance; Disabilities; Deafness; Sign Language
Age: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Grade: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
ISBN: 978-0-88092-228-9
Order code: 2289
Price: $15.00
Website price: $13.00
Hand Talk: Reni’s Feelings tells the story of Reni, a young boy who struggles to get people, including his mom, to understand him. Reni learns how to use sign language to show if he is hungry, happy, sad, or needs help, as well as other emotions. The story is illustrated with fun and colorful drawings.
The second half of the book contains photographs of the author's students demonstrating how to make more than two dozen signs in American Sign Language, from “don’t want,” “like,” and “tired” to “I love you,” “excited,” and “scared.”
Reni's Feelings also includes QR codes that will take readers directly to videos of the author demonstrating each sign.
Reviews from teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing:
"Reni’s Feelings takes the reader on a realistic journey of how challenging life can be for children who don’t have a way to communicate their needs, wants, or frustrations. This delightful book encourages and educates parents on the benefits of teaching their children sign language and closing the communication gap.” – Sabrina Boykin
"Hand Talk is a short, concise journey into the life of a special needs child. The story very clearly illustrates the feelings of a child with limited communication skills and provides a much-needed tool for parents, siblings, and friends to learn simple signs that can greatly enhance understanding and communication. The pictures are childlike and allow for an immediate connection between the main character and the reader. The inclusion of photographs of special needs children communicating in sign language at the end of the book greatly enhances its authenticity and again allows the reader to make a real emotional connection. I have shared this book with both neighbors and relatives. They just can’t stop talking about Hand Talk." – Susan Landberg
Hand Talk: Reni’s Feelings tells the story of Reni, a young boy who struggles to get people, including his mom, to understand him. Reni learns how to use sign language to show if he is hungry, happy, sad, or needs help, as well as other emotions. The story is illustrated with fun and colorful drawings.
The second half of the book contains photographs of the author's students demonstrating how to make more than two dozen signs in American Sign Language, from “don’t want,” “like,” and “tired” to “I love you,” “excited,” and “scared.”
Reni's Feelings also includes QR codes that will take readers directly to videos of the author demonstrating each sign.
Reviews from teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing:
"Reni’s Feelings takes the reader on a realistic journey of how challenging life can be for children who don’t have a way to communicate their needs, wants, or frustrations. This delightful book encourages and educates parents on the benefits of teaching their children sign language and closing the communication gap.” – Sabrina Boykin
"Hand Talk is a short, concise journey into the life of a special needs child. The story very clearly illustrates the feelings of a child with limited communication skills and provides a much-needed tool for parents, siblings, and friends to learn simple signs that can greatly enhance understanding and communication. The pictures are childlike and allow for an immediate connection between the main character and the reader. The inclusion of photographs of special needs children communicating in sign language at the end of the book greatly enhances its authenticity and again allows the reader to make a real emotional connection. I have shared this book with both neighbors and relatives. They just can’t stop talking about Hand Talk." – Susan Landberg
The iBook includes short video clips of the author signing the words and phrases and contains links from the story to the picture glossary.
Hand Talk: Reni's Feelings Coloring Book
Subtitle: Learn How to Sign Your Feelings with Reni
Author: Champion, Barbara
Subjects: Disabilities; Deafness; Sign Language
Age: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Grade: Pre-K, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
ISBN: 978-0-88092-328-6
Order code: 3286
Price: $13.00
Website price: $10.00
In this version of the book, children can color the pictures in the story about Reni's feelings.
A black-and-white version of Reni's Picture Glossary is included, with QR codes that link to videos of the author demonstrating each sign.
In this version of the book, children can color the pictures in the story about Reni's feelings.
A black-and-white version of Reni's Picture Glossary is included, with QR codes that link to videos of the author demonstrating each sign.
This book is part of a series;
see the
series description.
Hand Talk: Reni Goes to School
Subtitle: Learn How to Sign about School with Reni and Friends
Author: Champion, Barbara; Tice, Christopher (Illustrator)
Subjects: Guidance; Disabilities; Deafness; Sign Language
Age: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Grade: K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
ISBN: 978-0-89824-649-0
Order code: 6490
Price: $15.00
Website price: $13.00
Hand Talk: Reni Goes to School is the story of a young boy who is apprehensive about going to school because of his difficulty communicating. Reni learns how to use sign language and discovers that school can be fun. He shows readers how to make signs to identify his teacher, his classes, the supplies he uses, and more. The story is illustrated with fun and colorful drawings.
The second half of the book contains photographs of the author's students demonstrating how to make more than two dozen signs in American Sign Language, from “library,” “book,” and “recess” to “bus,” “calendar,” and “gym.”
Reni Goes to School also includes QR codes that will take readers directly to videos of the author demonstrating each sign.
Hand Talk: Reni Goes to School is the story of a young boy who is apprehensive about going to school because of his difficulty communicating. Reni learns how to use sign language and discovers that school can be fun. He shows readers how to make signs to identify his teacher, his classes, the supplies he uses, and more. The story is illustrated with fun and colorful drawings.
The second half of the book contains photographs of the author's students demonstrating how to make more than two dozen signs in American Sign Language, from “library,” “book,” and “recess” to “bus,” “calendar,” and “gym.”
Reni Goes to School also includes QR codes that will take readers directly to videos of the author demonstrating each sign.
The iBook includes short video clips of the author signing the words and phrases and contains links from the story to the picture glossary.
This book is part of a series;
see the
series description.
Hand Talk: Reni Goes to School Coloring Book
Subtitle: Learn to Sign about School with Reni and Friends
Author: Champion, Barbara; Tice, Christopher (Illustrator)
Subjects: Disabilities; Deafness; Sign Language
Age: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Grade: Pre-K, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
ISBN: 978-088092-331-6
Order code: 3316
Price: $13.00
Website price: $10.00
In this version of the book, children can color the pictures in the story about Reni going to school and using sign language there.
A black-and-white version of Reni's Picture Glossary is included, with QR codes that link to videos of the author demonstrating each sign.
In this version of the book, children can color the pictures in the story about Reni going to school and using sign language there.
A black-and-white version of Reni's Picture Glossary is included, with QR codes that link to videos of the author demonstrating each sign.
This book is part of a series;
see the
series description.
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