The Gallaudet Children's Dictionary of American Sign Language

Booklist Review
Reference - Language

The Gallaudet Children's Dictionary of American Sign Language. 1st ed.
Gallaudet University Press (editor) and Jean M. Gordon (editor). Illustrated by Debbie Tilley.
Sept. 2014. 384p. Gallaudet Univ., hardcover, $35.95 (9781563686313). 419.703.
REVIEW. First published September 18, 2014 (Booklist Online).
This new American Sign Language (ASL) dictionary for children is published by Gallaudet University, one of the leading universities for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. Aimed at emerging readers, this dictionary uses cute color illustrations for the signs and easy-to-read definitions for more than 1,000 words. What sets this dictionary apart from other books on ASL for children is the accompanying DVD, which shows children signing each of the words in the dictionary. Some of the words are also included in sentences, which are signed by adults. Watching the words being signed by someone will likely help those who might be confused by the directional arrows in the illustrations. The DVD, which is easily navigable on a variety of devices, shows a multicultural, diverse group of individuals, emphasizing that anyone could be deaf. This dictionary will help deaf children broaden their vocabulary, as well as teach hearing children how to sign. -- Kat Kan

School Library Journal Starred Review

Gordon, Jean M., ed. The Gallaudet Children's Dictionary of American Sign Language. illus. by Debbie Tilley. 384p. diag. index. w/DVD. Gallaudet Univ. 2014. Tr$39.95. ISBN 9781563686313.

K-Gr 4-This long-anticipated and colorfully designed reference work is the first comprehensive American Sign Language dictionary for children published to date. It boasts more than 1,000 signs and includes a searchable DVD, which features young native signers demonstrating each sign and 150 of the practice sentences. Each entry takes up a third of a page and includes the word in bold red. Arranged alphabetically, the words are searchable with a thumb guide and represent a combination of sight words, familiar words, and words relating to animals, major holidays, sports, and school. An important aspect for both Deaf and hearing students are the synonyms listed directly underneath many entries. Since one sign stands for a variety of synonyms, this will help learners develop vocabulary. For example, under the term fake, readers will find the words imposter, pseudo, artificial, and counterfeit. A watercolor illustration humorously depicts the word and is accompanied by a corresponding sentence. The signs are clearly illustrated in black-and-white line drawings of children. The hands and forearms are in bold, resulting in a very clear picture of how to form the sign. Tips about ASL and Deaf culture and etiquette take the place of a word now and then in "Now You Know" boxes. The comprehensive introduction relays important information about ASL, including regional differences, and explains the arrows used to depict the motions of the signs. Highly recommended.-Sara Lissa Paulson, The American Sign Language and English Lower School, New York City

This outstanding title deserves a place on the shelf of every school and public library. Designed for use by children ages 5 and up, this title will facilitate sign language learning for deaf and hearing children and adults. The entries are arranged alphabetically by English words and colorful, entertaining illustrations accompany each word to demonstrate the concept associated with the word. The signing instructions are done as black and white line drawings with bold lines added to illustrate handshape, movement, location, palm orientation and nonmanual signals. The DVD bound with the dictionary is equally useful since it includes live-action of children signing each word and videos of adults signing 150 sentences.-- "2015 Best of the Best University Press Books for Public and Secondary School Libraries, 25th Ed."