What do you think?
Rate this book
The Gallaudet Children’s Dictionary of American Sign Language
* Featuring more than 1,000 ASL sign drawings
* All signs paired with charming color illustrations
* Introduction explains how to sign ASL and fingerspell
* Complete index of English terms for each sign, including synonyms
* Sample sentences using specific words to match every sign’s meaning
Access the video dictionary at gcdasl.com.
The Gallaudet Children’s Dictionary of American Sign Language presents more than 1,000 ASL sign drawings arranged alphabetically by English terms, plus delightful color illustrations for each sign. Also featuring English sentences for each sign, the Gallaudet Children’s Dictionary stands alone as the best, most entertaining ASL reference volume for deaf and hearing children alike.
The Gallaudet Children’s Dictionary is a bilingual dictionary that will improve American Sign Language and English vocabulary skills and help children make the connections between signs and written English words. Parents, family members, and education professionals will also enjoy using this reference book. The introduction explains the history of American Sign Language and provides the basics of signing and fingerspelling. Throughout the book are short sections that explore Deaf culture. The index lists all of the English vocabulary. The accompanying video shows native ASL signers demonstrating how to form each sign plus 150 ASL sentences.
* All signs paired with charming color illustrations
* Introduction explains how to sign ASL and fingerspell
* Complete index of English terms for each sign, including synonyms
* Sample sentences using specific words to match every sign’s meaning
Access the video dictionary at gcdasl.com.
The Gallaudet Children’s Dictionary of American Sign Language presents more than 1,000 ASL sign drawings arranged alphabetically by English terms, plus delightful color illustrations for each sign. Also featuring English sentences for each sign, the Gallaudet Children’s Dictionary stands alone as the best, most entertaining ASL reference volume for deaf and hearing children alike.
The Gallaudet Children’s Dictionary is a bilingual dictionary that will improve American Sign Language and English vocabulary skills and help children make the connections between signs and written English words. Parents, family members, and education professionals will also enjoy using this reference book. The introduction explains the history of American Sign Language and provides the basics of signing and fingerspelling. Throughout the book are short sections that explore Deaf culture. The index lists all of the English vocabulary. The accompanying video shows native ASL signers demonstrating how to form each sign plus 150 ASL sentences.
- GenresNonfiction
384 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 2014
6 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 27, 2015
*I received a copy of this dictionary through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
I love ASL and when I saw this on Netgalley I was really excited to get it and use it. I think it's a great resource for learners of any age. Sign Language is such an amazing language and one that is very useful. I do think that some of the signs could be explained a little more clearly, some of the pictures and illustrations are hard to understand at times. Not the majority of them, but some of the more complex ones.
Full review will be on my blog November 4th: http://courtneysreads.blogspot.com/20...
I love ASL and when I saw this on Netgalley I was really excited to get it and use it. I think it's a great resource for learners of any age. Sign Language is such an amazing language and one that is very useful. I do think that some of the signs could be explained a little more clearly, some of the pictures and illustrations are hard to understand at times. Not the majority of them, but some of the more complex ones.
Full review will be on my blog November 4th: http://courtneysreads.blogspot.com/20...
July 7, 2019
Glad there is a dvd, but big, bright pictures. Great for a first dictionary! Very applicable signs.
Want to read
April 16, 2021Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
April 28, 2024
its perfect for child. its has beautiful art and my son love it!
February 2, 2026
Incredibly memorable illustrations, it’s so great to have signs in context. Excellent clarity. Great resource for beginning ASL.
September 9, 2019
I have bought several ASL books for my children to learn and felt like it was time to step up. So I went with the dictionary for kids with the 1,000 words and DVD. I haven't tried the DVD yet but I love the book. I think this book is not only ideal for children but also for adults who are learning.
Read
November 23, 2015Gordon, J. (2012). The Gallaudet children's dictionary of American Sign Language. Washington, DC : Gallaudet University Press.
Citation by: Donna Johnson
Type of Reference: Dictionary
Call number: Ref 419.703
Content/Scope: This dictionary is 384 pages long with an included DVD. More than 1,000 words are featured, each with definitions and illustrations of the signs. Finger-spelling techniques and sample sentences are included as well, with the DVD offering demonstrations by adults and children.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: Gallaudet University is a institute of higher learning that serves deaf and hearing-impaired individuals. The university was founded in 1864 and so has a long history of educating deaf and hearing-impaired students, leading to the institution's expertise in American Sign Language.
Arrangement/Presentation: The entries are arranged by alphabetical order, with each word defined and its ASL sign demonstrated by a picture of the word alone and in a practice sentence. A separate section includes illustrations of finger-spelling techniques students can use to spell out words for which they do not know the sign. The DVD includes physical demonstration of each entry by an adult or child. The design is visually appealing, bright, and promotes inclusion with a variety of signers.
Relation to other works: The LMC contains a couple of non-fiction holdings on ASL, which are very popular with the students. This dictionary goes far more into detail and contains many more entries than the books currently in the collection.
Accessibility/Diversity: The illustrations and DVD make this book ideal for visual learners. The models are multi-cultural and the book promotes communication with deaf and hearing-impaired classmates, family members, and friends.
Cost: $35.95
Professional Review: Kan, K. (2014). The Gallaudet Children's Dictionary of American Sign Language. Booklist Online. Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com.libsrv....
Citation by: Donna Johnson
Type of Reference: Dictionary
Call number: Ref 419.703
Content/Scope: This dictionary is 384 pages long with an included DVD. More than 1,000 words are featured, each with definitions and illustrations of the signs. Finger-spelling techniques and sample sentences are included as well, with the DVD offering demonstrations by adults and children.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: Gallaudet University is a institute of higher learning that serves deaf and hearing-impaired individuals. The university was founded in 1864 and so has a long history of educating deaf and hearing-impaired students, leading to the institution's expertise in American Sign Language.
Arrangement/Presentation: The entries are arranged by alphabetical order, with each word defined and its ASL sign demonstrated by a picture of the word alone and in a practice sentence. A separate section includes illustrations of finger-spelling techniques students can use to spell out words for which they do not know the sign. The DVD includes physical demonstration of each entry by an adult or child. The design is visually appealing, bright, and promotes inclusion with a variety of signers.
Relation to other works: The LMC contains a couple of non-fiction holdings on ASL, which are very popular with the students. This dictionary goes far more into detail and contains many more entries than the books currently in the collection.
Accessibility/Diversity: The illustrations and DVD make this book ideal for visual learners. The models are multi-cultural and the book promotes communication with deaf and hearing-impaired classmates, family members, and friends.
Cost: $35.95
Professional Review: Kan, K. (2014). The Gallaudet Children's Dictionary of American Sign Language. Booklist Online. Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com.libsrv....
April 26, 2015
The Gallaudet children’s dictionary of American Sign Language. (2014). Washington, D. C.: Gallaudet University Press.
Citation by: Bonnie Blevins
Type of Reference: Dictionary
Call Number: Ref 419
Content/Scope: This dictionary is targeted toward 6-10 year old children. This dictionary contains over 1000 words which reference sight words, animals, sports, and school. There are sentences, color illustrations, and pictures showing how to sign for all words.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: Gallaudet University has conferred degrees since 1864 and is a school for deaf and hard of hearing people. It began publishing books in 1980 when the Gallaudet University Press was founded. This publisher has a reputation as the preeminent publisher for books on American Sign Language and the Deaf people and their culture.
Arrangement/Presentation: This dictionary is similar to other dictionaries because it is arranged alphabetically. For words where there are synonyms, there are illustrations explaining the definition for the different words even though the sign is the same.
Relation to other works: This dictionary will replace the book currently in the library from 1980. The color illustrations, sentences, and list of synonyms will update and improve this area of the reference section.
Accessibility/Diversity: This dictionary can improve deaf/hard of hearing students’ vocabulary skills and also teach American Sign Language to hearing children. This bilingual book can be used by deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing people of all ages.
Cost: $39.95
Professional Review:
Paulson, S. L. (2014). The Gallaudet children's dictionary of American Sign Language. School Library Journal, 60(10), 62.
Citation by: Bonnie Blevins
Type of Reference: Dictionary
Call Number: Ref 419
Content/Scope: This dictionary is targeted toward 6-10 year old children. This dictionary contains over 1000 words which reference sight words, animals, sports, and school. There are sentences, color illustrations, and pictures showing how to sign for all words.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: Gallaudet University has conferred degrees since 1864 and is a school for deaf and hard of hearing people. It began publishing books in 1980 when the Gallaudet University Press was founded. This publisher has a reputation as the preeminent publisher for books on American Sign Language and the Deaf people and their culture.
Arrangement/Presentation: This dictionary is similar to other dictionaries because it is arranged alphabetically. For words where there are synonyms, there are illustrations explaining the definition for the different words even though the sign is the same.
Relation to other works: This dictionary will replace the book currently in the library from 1980. The color illustrations, sentences, and list of synonyms will update and improve this area of the reference section.
Accessibility/Diversity: This dictionary can improve deaf/hard of hearing students’ vocabulary skills and also teach American Sign Language to hearing children. This bilingual book can be used by deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing people of all ages.
Cost: $39.95
Professional Review:
Paulson, S. L. (2014). The Gallaudet children's dictionary of American Sign Language. School Library Journal, 60(10), 62.
November 20, 2016
Gordon, J. M. (2014). The Gallaudet children's dictionary of American Sign Language. Washington D. C. :Gallaudet University Press
Citation by: Amy Reesor
Type of Reference: Dictionary
Call Number: Ref 419 Gor
Content/Scope: The dictionary targets an audience of children from kindergarten to grade 4. The book displays more than 1,000 signs and includes a dvd with children signing over 150 phrases used in the text. Words included are common sight and familiar words, and words about their daily lives such as animals, school, and sports.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: This is the first American Sign Language Dictionary published for children. Gallaudet University Press only publishes titles focusing on the deaf population. The books published include children books up to scholarly texts.
Arrangement/Presentation: The words in the 84 page dictionary are listed alphabetically with a thumb guide to assist the young audience when looking for a particular work. There are only three words per page and each word is in red bold print. Each entry shows a black and white display of the sign, synonyms for the word, color illustration, and a sentence using the word.
Relation to Similar Works: There are reference books on sign language, but the children’s dictionary is the first of its kind published.
Accessibility/Diversity: Kinesthetic learners would benefit from the ability to silently practice the signs, while visual learners will enjoy the detailed illustrations included to teach the signs. The dictionary promotes acceptance and diversity in an area which is not normally the focus.
Cost: $39.95
Professional Review: Paulson, Sara Lissa. (2014). [Review of The Gallaudet children's dictionary of American Sign Language]. School Library Journal. 60 (10), 62.
Citation by: Amy Reesor
Type of Reference: Dictionary
Call Number: Ref 419 Gor
Content/Scope: The dictionary targets an audience of children from kindergarten to grade 4. The book displays more than 1,000 signs and includes a dvd with children signing over 150 phrases used in the text. Words included are common sight and familiar words, and words about their daily lives such as animals, school, and sports.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: This is the first American Sign Language Dictionary published for children. Gallaudet University Press only publishes titles focusing on the deaf population. The books published include children books up to scholarly texts.
Arrangement/Presentation: The words in the 84 page dictionary are listed alphabetically with a thumb guide to assist the young audience when looking for a particular work. There are only three words per page and each word is in red bold print. Each entry shows a black and white display of the sign, synonyms for the word, color illustration, and a sentence using the word.
Relation to Similar Works: There are reference books on sign language, but the children’s dictionary is the first of its kind published.
Accessibility/Diversity: Kinesthetic learners would benefit from the ability to silently practice the signs, while visual learners will enjoy the detailed illustrations included to teach the signs. The dictionary promotes acceptance and diversity in an area which is not normally the focus.
Cost: $39.95
Professional Review: Paulson, Sara Lissa. (2014). [Review of The Gallaudet children's dictionary of American Sign Language]. School Library Journal. 60 (10), 62.
Read
March 9, 2016http://kachildrensbookreviews.blogspo...
We received this book via NetGalley to give an honest review.
So when A was 6 months old I started teaching her sign language it wasn't much just a few words that I knew to sign. I stopped when she fully started talking around 1-1 1/2 I wish I didn't though as I think she would have loved to sign a whole lot more.
Then I saw this book on NetGalley and I loved that it was for children that would totally work to teach A. Now I believe this book would be better for some in the form of a hardback or paperback so the pictures will be bigger to see.
I sat with A and we started working through the pages and signing she was having a ball learning signs. I think this is a great book to have and teach kids how they can sign and if they come across someone who is deaf or hard of hearing they can maybe communicate with them or at least try.
Some of the signs were hard to see to sign them so I would just look them up online and got it down. I do believe I will be looking into buying the book to have on the shelf so I can teach myself and A a little bit more.
I also enjoyed how it is in alphabetical order and there are more than just a few words in it. I was thinking that they would only have a few words per page but no there are tons of it and it was awesome plain and simple. Now it not only has how you sign but what word you are signing and pictures to go with it which is neat.
It says there is a DVD included but I did not receive one with the digital copy.
Overall this was a great book to learn from and one I highly recommend.
We received this book via NetGalley to give an honest review.
So when A was 6 months old I started teaching her sign language it wasn't much just a few words that I knew to sign. I stopped when she fully started talking around 1-1 1/2 I wish I didn't though as I think she would have loved to sign a whole lot more.
Then I saw this book on NetGalley and I loved that it was for children that would totally work to teach A. Now I believe this book would be better for some in the form of a hardback or paperback so the pictures will be bigger to see.
I sat with A and we started working through the pages and signing she was having a ball learning signs. I think this is a great book to have and teach kids how they can sign and if they come across someone who is deaf or hard of hearing they can maybe communicate with them or at least try.
Some of the signs were hard to see to sign them so I would just look them up online and got it down. I do believe I will be looking into buying the book to have on the shelf so I can teach myself and A a little bit more.
I also enjoyed how it is in alphabetical order and there are more than just a few words in it. I was thinking that they would only have a few words per page but no there are tons of it and it was awesome plain and simple. Now it not only has how you sign but what word you are signing and pictures to go with it which is neat.
It says there is a DVD included but I did not receive one with the digital copy.
Overall this was a great book to learn from and one I highly recommend.
Read
April 7, 2016Gordon, J. M., Tilley, D., Lott, P., Hills, R., Renner, D. W., & Gallaudet University. (2014). The Gallaudet children's dictionary of American Sign Language.
Citation: Laura Faulkner
Type of Reference: Dictionary
Call Number: Ref 419
Content/Scope: This 384 page dictionary includes over 1,000 signs geared towards 6-12 year old students. It includes definitions, synonyms, sentences and illustrations to assist with understanding. The purchase of the book includes a DVD that shows children signing words and phrases from the book.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: The book is published by Gallaudet University which is a leading university for deaf and hard of hearing students and considered an authority on the topic.
Arrangement/Presentation: The dictionary takes the traditional arrangement of alphabetic order. Illustrations demonstrate with arrows how to maneuver hands to create the signs and the DVD shows the words and sentences in action.
Accessibility/Diversity: The dictionary can help deaf and hard of hearing students improve their vocabulary and also teach hearing students how to communicate with their special needs classmates, bridging the social and communication gaps. The DVD portrays students from diverse backgrounds.
Cost: $35.95
Professional Review: Kan, Kat. (2014). The Gallaudet children's dictionary of American Sign Language. Booklist Online. Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com/The-Gal...
Citation: Laura Faulkner
Type of Reference: Dictionary
Call Number: Ref 419
Content/Scope: This 384 page dictionary includes over 1,000 signs geared towards 6-12 year old students. It includes definitions, synonyms, sentences and illustrations to assist with understanding. The purchase of the book includes a DVD that shows children signing words and phrases from the book.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: The book is published by Gallaudet University which is a leading university for deaf and hard of hearing students and considered an authority on the topic.
Arrangement/Presentation: The dictionary takes the traditional arrangement of alphabetic order. Illustrations demonstrate with arrows how to maneuver hands to create the signs and the DVD shows the words and sentences in action.
Accessibility/Diversity: The dictionary can help deaf and hard of hearing students improve their vocabulary and also teach hearing students how to communicate with their special needs classmates, bridging the social and communication gaps. The DVD portrays students from diverse backgrounds.
Cost: $35.95
Professional Review: Kan, Kat. (2014). The Gallaudet children's dictionary of American Sign Language. Booklist Online. Retrieved from http://www.booklistonline.com/The-Gal...
Read
April 24, 2016Gordon, J. M., Tilley, D., Lott, P., Hills, R., Renner, D. W., & Gallaudet University. (2014). The Gallaudet children's dictionary of American Sign Language.
Citation: Alissa Trammel
Type of Reference: Dictionary
Call Number: Ref 419
Content/Scope: This dictionary of over 1,000 words is organized with colorful pictures for sight words, animals, sports, and school. There are also sentences, pictures, and colorful illustrations to guide students in the production of each sign.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: Galludet is a leading university in the field of American Sign Language, with a school for the deaf and hard of hearing along with publishing many books about sign language.
Arrangement/Presentation: This dictionary is organized alphabetically, like other dictionaries, and lists definitions to address different words that have the same sign.
Accessibility/Diversity: While this book is targeted for the deaf or hard of hearing to improve their signing skills, it can be used as a resource to teach basic signing skills to anyone.
Relation: This book will be the only book in the library that focuses on the teaching of American Sign Language.
Cost: $39.95
Professional Review:
Paulson, S. L. (2014). The Gallaudet children's dictionary of American Sign Language. School Library Journal, 60(10), 62.
Citation: Alissa Trammel
Type of Reference: Dictionary
Call Number: Ref 419
Content/Scope: This dictionary of over 1,000 words is organized with colorful pictures for sight words, animals, sports, and school. There are also sentences, pictures, and colorful illustrations to guide students in the production of each sign.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: Galludet is a leading university in the field of American Sign Language, with a school for the deaf and hard of hearing along with publishing many books about sign language.
Arrangement/Presentation: This dictionary is organized alphabetically, like other dictionaries, and lists definitions to address different words that have the same sign.
Accessibility/Diversity: While this book is targeted for the deaf or hard of hearing to improve their signing skills, it can be used as a resource to teach basic signing skills to anyone.
Relation: This book will be the only book in the library that focuses on the teaching of American Sign Language.
Cost: $39.95
Professional Review:
Paulson, S. L. (2014). The Gallaudet children's dictionary of American Sign Language. School Library Journal, 60(10), 62.
Read
November 19, 2016The gallaudet children’s dictionary of american sign language. (2014). Washington, D. C.: Gallaudet University Press.
Citation by: Amanda Carter
Type of Reference: Dictionary
Call Number: Ref 419
Content/Scope: This dictionary contains more than 1,000 pictures of ASL drawings. It includes introductions of how to finger spell and ASL. It also includes sample sentences using words to match signs.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: The reviewer of this dictionary is from the American Sign Language Lower School.
Arrangement/Presentation: The sign drawings are arranged alphabetically, and includes a DVD of how to form each sign.
Relation to other works: There is no other work like this in the library.
Accessibility/Diversity: This book would be great for students who want to learn sign language, or those with speech/hearing impediments.
Cost: $39.95
Professional Review: Paulson, S. L. (2014). The Gallaudet children's dictionary of American Sign Language. School Library Journal, 60(10), 62.
Citation by: Amanda Carter
Type of Reference: Dictionary
Call Number: Ref 419
Content/Scope: This dictionary contains more than 1,000 pictures of ASL drawings. It includes introductions of how to finger spell and ASL. It also includes sample sentences using words to match signs.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: The reviewer of this dictionary is from the American Sign Language Lower School.
Arrangement/Presentation: The sign drawings are arranged alphabetically, and includes a DVD of how to form each sign.
Relation to other works: There is no other work like this in the library.
Accessibility/Diversity: This book would be great for students who want to learn sign language, or those with speech/hearing impediments.
Cost: $39.95
Professional Review: Paulson, S. L. (2014). The Gallaudet children's dictionary of American Sign Language. School Library Journal, 60(10), 62.
Read
November 23, 2015The gallaudet children’s dictionary of american sign language. (2014). Washington, D. C.: Gallaudet University Press.
Citation by: Teresa Kennedy
Type of Reference: Dictionary
Call Number: Ref 419
Content/Scope: This dictionary is for students in grades K-4.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: This dictionary was reviewed by an member of The American Sign Language and English Lower School in New York City.
Arrangement/Presentation: This dictionary contains more than 1,000 signs and includes a searchable DVD. The entries are arranged alphabetically, and the words are searchable through a thumb guide.
Relation to other works: First comprehensive American Sign Language dictionary for children.
Accessibility/Diversity: Tips about ASL and Deaf culture and etiquette are included.
Cost: $39.95
Professional Review: Paulson, S. L. (2014). The Gallaudet children's dictionary of American Sign Language. School Library Journal, 60(10), 62.
Citation by: Teresa Kennedy
Type of Reference: Dictionary
Call Number: Ref 419
Content/Scope: This dictionary is for students in grades K-4.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias: This dictionary was reviewed by an member of The American Sign Language and English Lower School in New York City.
Arrangement/Presentation: This dictionary contains more than 1,000 signs and includes a searchable DVD. The entries are arranged alphabetically, and the words are searchable through a thumb guide.
Relation to other works: First comprehensive American Sign Language dictionary for children.
Accessibility/Diversity: Tips about ASL and Deaf culture and etiquette are included.
Cost: $39.95
Professional Review: Paulson, S. L. (2014). The Gallaudet children's dictionary of American Sign Language. School Library Journal, 60(10), 62.
July 10, 2015
Colorful and well formatted for easy perusal, and locating signs by English words, alphabetically. It's difficult for anyone to learn ASL/signs from a book since it's a visual-spatial language that requires precise movements, and that is not completely possible to convey in a book. However, the signs pictured have illustrated movement signals that are helpful and about as clear as you can get in 2D format. I truly believe this would be a great resource for ASL students that are in classes learning the language and then sometimes needing a reminder for vocabulary signs as they learn more ASL and sentence structures etc. But for the average hearing person or child with no background in ASL whatsoever, it might be challenging to recreate signs with just this dictionary, not mention proper syntax and conversational ASL.
August 11, 2015
I have recently become very interested in American Sign Language and have been making an attempt to include appropriate signs during fingerplays and rhymes that I use with my babies and toddlers that come to my weekly story times. I have NOT taken a class in ASL and have been self teaching via the internet and YouTube videos as I went along. I was able to receive this title through NetGalley and quickly went through it. It is extremely thorough and easy to understand. All the movement and hand positioning is clearly pictured and clarified many words that I was struggling with personally. It is most definitely a necessary purchase for most libraries and a must have for anyone trying to learn basic signs.
April 7, 2016
The Gallaudet Children's Dictionary of American Sign Language is a great resource for children and parents, students and teachers. As a parent, it is a great reference for teaching my son fundamental signs. Plus as an elementary teacher, this dictionary is a great resource for introducing and utilizing sign language in the classroom. Students can avoid disrupting other students when asking to use the restroom, get a drink of water, etc. by using sign language when they need something.
This dictionary is an easy to use guide with fun illustrations for the meaning of words and clear illustrations for how to sign a word.
I highly recommend this resource for both parents and teachers!
*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.
This dictionary is an easy to use guide with fun illustrations for the meaning of words and clear illustrations for how to sign a word.
I highly recommend this resource for both parents and teachers!
*A copy of this book was provided free of charge for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews