Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly “in order to raise awareness of the importance of sign language in the full realization of the human rights of people who are deaf,” the International Day of Sign Languages was declared in part to recognize that “early access to sign language and services in sign language, including quality education available in sign language, is vital to the growth and development of the deaf individual and critical to the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals.”

In recognition of this day and the importance of early sign language education, we thought we’d share a few quick pictures of Sign Language ABC by Lora Heller, published by Sterling Children’s Books, from our Butterflies & Aliens Alphabet Book Collection.

Full of gorgeous illustrations, paired with a drawing of a hand sign and its Latin character equivalent, the book would be a beautiful alphabet book even without the added bonus of the sign language component.

My favourite drawing in the book comes one page further in… D is for dragon!

The World Federation of the Deaf says it best with its theme of “We Sign For Human Rights” for this year’s International Day of Sign Languages, “highlighting how each of us – deaf and hearing people around the world – can work together hand in hand to promote the recognition of our right to use sign languages in all areas of life.”

So come for the great illustrations, stay for the sign language instruction! We were delighted to find this book to add to our collection, and would heartily recommend it for deaf and hearing people alike.

Happy Signing!

– Winston