For both hearing children wanting to learn sign language and deaf children needing to look up signs, here are selected sign language dictionaries and learning books for children. So many books are available that if you feel one does not belong on this list please or if you know of one not on this list that you feel deserves to be on it, please let me know.
1. Picture Plus Dictionary
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A dictionary with illustrated words in sign language. If a word has multiple definitions, the multiple definitions are shown and explained. I have used this one myself over the years.
2. Signs for Me
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Basic dictionary of signs for children, well-illustrated with drawings and words organized into vocabulary groups (such as nouns, verbs, adjectives). Helpful for young children. I had this one when my own children were small.
3. Signing for Kids
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A children's version of an adult sign language book. The author has also done an adult book.
4. Come Sign With Us
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An illustrated learning guide to sign language for children. Includes activities and lesson plans. Vocabulary words are in both English and Spanish.
5. Sign Language for Kids: A Fun & Easy Guide to American Sign Language
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This has photos of kids signing and covers basic vocabulary like school vocabulary. The photos are accompanied by text that explains how to make the sign. Sometimes it has a sentence that explains the use of the sign.
6. My First Book of Sign Language
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A sign language book that would be appropriate for a kindergarten-age child.
7. My First Book of Sign
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I remember this one fondly; I had it for my own child in the early elementary years. This book has colorful illustrations of children making signs in alphabetical order.
8. You Can Learn Sign Language
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This sign language learning book is aimed at slightly older children (grades two to three). There are more than 300 words, organized by category and demonstrated in photos of children signing, accompanied occasionally by cartoons.
9. Signing Is Fun; A Child's Introduction to the Basics of Sign Language
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This book teaches the basics, from fingerspelling to regular signs. It has black-and-white cartoon illustrations. Aimed at grades three to four.
10. I Can Sign my ABC's
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This simple little book was another book I had for my own young child. It was helpful in teaching basic vocabulary. What was good about it was that it showed the handshape for the letter, a word that began with that letter, and a colorful simple, large drawing illustrating the sign.
