Story books with British Sign Language #4
Animal ABC, A ‘Rhyme and Sign’ Alphabet
as seen on Story Time with Fergie and Friends!
Teach Early Years Awards 2022 | Highly Commended
BSL Story Books for Children | Sign Language for Everyone
From the award winning ‘Rhyme and Sign’ Adventure team!
BSL story books for baby signing | early years | key stage 1 | EAL | SEN
Animal ABC Book
Learning your ABC’s has never been so much fun! A story line your little one will love, accompanied by animal signs and the BSL Fingerspelling Alphabet.
Left and right handed British Sign Language graphics included.
Animal ABC A2 Poster
A stunning A2 poster for your little one’s bedroom wall or playroom. From A-Z, with our gorgeous animal illustrations and BSL graphics.
Unframed A2 print on luxurious heavyweight paper with a premium matte finish.
Animal ABC Bundle
Best Value! Get one copy of Animal ABC, a Rhyme and Sign Alphabet, one beautiful unframed Animal ABC A2 poster AND free postage, all for just £20.00
United Kingdom only (sorry!)
Free postage is UK 2nd Class.
Snuggle in close, and let’s take a look;
What could be waiting, inside our ABC book…?
The fourth children’s picture book in the much loved, award winning ‘Rhyme and Sign’ series from Little Signers Club.
Animal ABC, A Rhyme and Sign Alphabet, explores the British Sign Language alphabet in a way that is designed to enthral little ones.
Inside you’ll not only learn the BSL Alphabet and the accompanying animal signs, but discover the unwritten rules of English Language too. Find out why learning the signed alphabet is more important than you might think for early independence, life skills and as incredible preparation for literacy and language learning.
Animal ABC, A Rhyme and Sign Alphabet helps to gently develop hand / eye co-ordination, fine motor skills and emerging literacy skills in young children.
You don’t need any signing experience to be able to use and enjoy this book; it’s easy to use format will delight children of all ages and abilities – but without being too much, too soon.
Supported with sign language graphics from Cath Smith throughout, and captivating illustrations from Chris Hammond, learning your ABCs through sign language and the accompanying rhyming couplets has never been so much fun!
Our expertly written guide to signing along to stories will help you to get the most out of your new Rhyme and Sign Alphabet and encourage your little one to join in too!
Adding sign language to stories allows little ones to experience the meaning of words at a much deeper level. Signing is, as Marilyn Daniels reminds us, ‘language in motion’ which helps children to learn more ably as well as retain and recall information more easily.
Every gorgeously illustrated page is accompanied by the BSL graphic and description for the animal on the page – as well as the correct BSL Fingerspelling letter for both hands.
Little ones are ambidextrous, not starting to develop a preferred hand until between 2 and 4 years old. Children will still swap hands for some time to come, with hand dominance normally becoming established between 4 and 6 years old.
Add our stunning Animal ABC poster to complete your order. Each alphabet letter is accompanied by the animal illustration and BSL sign graphic from the book.
What’s inside a ‘Rhyme and Sign’ story book?
Sign Language Graphics
Cath Smith’s easy to understand BSL signs are shown in picture format with detailed written instructions.
Rhyming Story Line
enabling little ones to anticipate words and join in with the story, increasing literacy and language ability.
Spot and Sign
Gently develops crucial pre-reading skills such as observation, turn-taking and concentration.
Tops Tips
for getting the most out of your ‘Rhyme and Sign’ Alphabet with our top tips for signed stories.
Know-How
and understanding of how sign language, in conjunction with speech and stories, is doing wonderful things for your little one’s early learning – but without being too much, too soon.
Something for Everyone
and confidence to join in, regardless of age or ability. Particularly loved by children with hearing impairments, those who adore baby signing, toddlers, pre-schoolers and Reception aged children.
A story book, a picture book, and a rhyme & sign book all rolled into one.
This really is a children’s book that should be on all parents to buy lists.
We use Makaton - is Animal ABC suitable for us?
Yes of course it is! Please don’t miss out.
Little people everywhere love these books and they can be enjoyed whether you sign during the story or not and regardless of the sign language system you use.
At baby signing level the two sign language systems share around a 90% compatibility so there is no reason why you can’t love our Rhyme and Sign story books too.
If you use a different sign or two from those we have in our books (i.e. Giraffe) in our Animal ABC, simply swap them to the signs you already know. Easy!
Makaton is derived from British Sign Language and so many of the signs are compatible.
Our beautiful Rhyme and Sign books use BSL in English language word order, known as Sign Supported English. Of course, we don’t have Makaton symbols in our books, we have Cath Smith’s lovely BSL sign graphics.
Which age groups will love Animal ABC?
Our lovely Rhyme and Sign books have a wide appeal.
We originally developed these books to support our baby signing classes which mean that they were aimed, really, at little ones between the ages of 18 months and 4 years.
BUT! Schools have contacted us to say that they love them for their reception and KS1 children.
Babies also seem to love them as they can spot their favourite characters as the stories build.
And for slightly older children, for whom English is an Additional Language, or who have Special Educational Needs, they provide a great language bridge.
With the push to bring BSL into schools, our Rhyme and Sign signed stories are perfectly placed to introduce simple signs from an early age and will develop with children through pre-school, reception and Key Stage 1.
Do I have to sign when I read these books?
No of course you don’t!
Rhyme and Sign Adventures stand alone as beautiful stories that everyone will love and you’ll get a deep enjoyment from them whether you sign or not.
Obviously we’d love you to give it a go – using sign language deeply embeds language and children of all ages really enjoy learning it.
You’d be amazed at how it aids memory and how much you’ll like using your hands to talk too.
If you are feeling stuck, let us know! We’ll be happy to help.
Signing and Cognitive Development
Laughter, smiles and eye contact form the very best part of cognitive development and a platform for peak learning experiences.
They fire off all sorts of amazing connections in the brain, establishing strong bonding and attachment foundations.
Well loved stories, in conjunction with signing, provide young children with the experience of being deeply cared about, snuggled on a special lap with a favourite book.
This is our earliest journey into literacy and language; the undivided attention of story time, with a favourite book, confirms to our little ones that they matter.
Signing and Emotional Intelligence
Some studies put children, who have learned to use signing alongside speech, as 12 IQ points ahead of their peers.
But there is so much more to signing than being more advanced in literacy, communication and language.
We’re discovering more and more about the importance of strong attachment in early childhood.
Signing helps develop this connection at a deep level and embeds in little children that they are seen, that they matter, that their ‘voice’ is important.
Children who have the advantage of clear communication opportunities, where the guesswork of what they want or need simply disappears, are more independent and far less stressed – particularly important as we rebuild their confidence after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Independent and happy, signing children are motivated to learn and engage with new activities. Not only that, they develop more confidence, are more resilient and have greater self esteem.
Signing and Effective Learning
After lots of studies we now know that children are kinaesthetic learners.
This means that they learn more ably when they are able to move their bodies and are physically involved with what they are doing.
Signing is quite literally ‘language in motion’ and it has amazing benefits for all children!
When you use sign language with speech, children learn to connect both the sign and the word. Research has shown that it is this connection that helps little ones retain and recall information effortlessly, giving them a head start in communication, literacy and language. This has never been more important than right now.
Signing and Motor Skill Development
Signing is amazing for developing gross and fine motor skills.
It provides gentle exercise for the small muscles of the hands which in turn improve strength and dexterity.
Fine motor skills are a crucial foundation for writing and drawing but also enable increased independence for those skills we need throughout life – the ability to dress ourselves (zips and buttons), brushing teeth – and later on, better control with cookery skills like chopping and peeling.
Signing and talking simultaneously with young children, to emphasise key words in context, is an important tool with young children in the early stages of language development.
“Our Farmyard Friends is a captivating introduction to signing that had my children (4 1/2 and 18 months) hooked from first read.
Not only is it a delightful rhyme with engaging pictures it is a comprehensive enough guide for anyone completely new to signing to achieve mastery in just one or two read throughs.
My daughter was able to mirror back to me all the signs after just one telling and frequently uses them in other contexts.”
‘It has blown me away…. I literally don’t have the vocabulary for how emotional it makes me to know parents of signing children can have access to this – and wow, you’ve done it so, so well.’
‘This book is very interactive for children; not only because of the motor skills in signing with hands but also because it has a familiarity to it, like an old friend.
I love this book. If you are new to signing this book has what you need to start enjoying signing and storytelling and if you already sign then this compliments the fun you are already having together.’
I got this book – and Wow!
My son who is 5 loves it. I found that using the signs brought us both closer together and made the story come to life.
Amazing book. Highly Recommended isn’t a strong enough sentiment for it.
These are lovely stories in their own right – but they are actually much more than that. There is lots of rhyme and repetition which are important for supporting language learning and developing vocabulary – plus the addition of key signs which enhances early literacy and learning.
You don’t need any signing experience to be able to use these books straightaway. They are accessible, enjoyable tales for all ages – from grandparents to babies – they’ll all love to join in!
Behind the Scenes!
The expert, collaborative team behind our award winning BSL story books
Shelley Ensor | Speaker | Author | Chief Bubble Tester.
Shelley is the founder of Little Signers Club, an award winning organisation that helps little ones and their grown ups to communicate effectively with each other; she has a deep love of signing and how it benefits children of all ages, letting them know from an early age just how much they matter.
Shelley loves nothing more than a hot chocolate and cooking marshmallows over a campfire – preferably on the beach.
Chris Hammond | Illustrator
Chris is usually found painting or doodling – oblivious to the world at large!
As a graphic designer and illustrator, he is passionate about art and how visual imagery plays an important role in our development and understanding of the world.
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Cath Smith| BSL Graphics and descriptions
Cath has been involved in the Deaf community for all of her adult working life.
Her favourite area of work is with deaf children and their families; she feels privileged to be part of their lives and development.
Cath’s ‘Let’s Sign’ BSL Series encourages and promotes the use of BSL in education.
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Animal ABC Book
Animal ABC A2 Poster
Animal ABC Bundle
Leading Provider of Baby Signing Classes 2020; 4th Annual Social Care Awards | Mummy’s Gin Fund Expert Panel | Emma’s Diary Contributor | Hoop Hero 2018, 2019| Winner: Teach Early Years Awards 2018, At the Bottom of My Garden| Most Outstanding Infant Sign Language Training Consultancy 2017; Global Excellence Awards | Bizzie Baby GOLD Award; Our Farmyard Friends, a Rhyme and Sign Adventure | Best Infant Sign Language Training Consultancy – UK; Consultancy Awards 2016 | Finalist, Whats On 4 Little Ones 2016 | Award Nominated, Mum and Working 2016 |Childcare Expo 2016, 2017 | ICAN Licensed Tutors | 5th Annual Babyroom Conference Canterbury Christ Church University | Lead Practitioners; Early Language Development Programme | Member of Neytco | Featured; BBC1, Gurgle Magazine, Junior Magazine, Parent Tribe, The Mother | Contributor; ToddlerCalm, A guide for calmer toddlers | Award Nominated, Whats On 4 Little Ones 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013,2014, 2015 | Official Partner for Hello, The Year of Communication and the Communication Trust | Finalist, The Baby Show for Trade