Children's Literature
- Dr. Beverly Kobrin
Artist Laura Rankin shows readers how to count in American Sign Language in The Handmade Counting Book, a volume as beautifully illustrated as her Handmade Alphabet. These colored-pencil drawings of toys and other objects are arrayed by ones from 1 to 20, and twenty-fives to 100 with each identified on the final page.
Children's Literature
- Emily Ferren
Illustrated with beauty and imagination, Rankin captures the expression of American Sign Language in a counting book that includes the numbers 1-20, 25, 50, 75 and 100. Each page contains a number, the American Sign Language depiction, and object illustrations. It is a rare and delightful combination that will appeal to anyone who needs to learn American Sign Language as well as those who are just curious. The illustrations in colored pencil on charcoal paper will invite repeated readings. Rankin's well-researched book also contains notes with detailed explanations and reflects the same high quality as her popular Handmade Alphabet.
School Library Journal
PreS-Gr 2-Softly realistic colored-pencil drawings on colored backgrounds show children's hands in varying skin colors making the American Sign Language sign for a number, accompanied by a corresponding number of objects from one to 20, plus 25, 50, 75, and 100. Signs that require motion are shown by a lightly drawn hand at the start position, an arrow indicating the movement, and a more solidly drawn hand for the next position. The illustrations depict either toys or objects from nature: 50 fish, 75 beads, and a glorious double-page spread of Noah's Ark for 100. Visually, the book is a delight, with charming pictures to pore over. Although counting books are legion, those that include signs are not. This is a title worth having, particularly because it can be enjoyed by children who aren't familiar with ASL. A fine companion to Rankin's Handmade Alphabet (Dial, 1991).-Pam Gosner, formerly at Maplewood Memorial Library, NJ
Kirkus Reviews
Rankin (The Handmade Alphabet, 1991, etc.) returns with another elegant study of American Sign Language, demonstrating the count up to 100. The imaginative drawings show the hand in starting position, the direction of the motion, and the final position for each number. Some sequences are quite challenging, but the presentation is utterly charming: every page presents a number, shows the handwork, and, against a brown-paper background, a corresponding number of objects. Butterflies, wildflowers, toy dinosaurs, dolls, fish, and more are on display, while the last page furnishes inquisitive readers with the names of the objects presented not just four butterflies, but an Adonis blue, a monarch, a purple spotted swallowtail, and a cloudless sulphur. (Picture book. 4-10)
