About the Author: |
|
I began my writing career after my grandson Eric (who attends school in Crown Point IN) and I watched a documentary on the hearing impaired. After lengthy research I discovered, to my dismay, that there are not many sign language books that were actually fun for young children needing to learn sign language as their form of communication.
In our fast paced world, it is imperative we pay special attention to those who must learn an alternative form of communication. Sign language is the recognized, universal language of the hearing and voice impaired community. Hence, the creation of my "Learn and Sign" © collection of books.
|
Book Review: |
|
WARRIOR LIBRARIAN WEEKLY - ISSUE 195 October 2004
www.warriorlibrarianweekly.com
Learn and Sign, ISBN 0-9753717-1-1 US$14.95
Purchase through Amazon or your usual jobber.
This is the fourth edition of Judy Barfell's excellent series of books for deaf communication. Subtitled Funtime: Words and Things We Know, this primer for 3-8 year olds on the basics of American Sign Language features clear diagrams and simple instructions.
When the WLW Alternative Communications Division's consultant (OK, a colleague to whom I now owe a favor) viewed this review copy, her summation was "excellent"!
The subsequent discussions about DEAF culture, the differences between Auslan (Australian Sign Language) and ASL (American Sign Language), the difficulties for the deaf in lip-reading people with seriously heavy accents, cochlea implants and their failure to appeal to all deaf people, and many related issues, were absolutely fascinating. Interestingly, despite years of failed attempts to deliver library funding pleas to normally-hearing individuals, an afternoon in conversation with a totally deaf person was a highly successful two-way communication event ...
|