Gorgeous pencil illustrations of diverse human hands—male and female, young and old—signing the letters of the alphabet make this alphabet book an incredible learning resource. The entries are further supplemented with objects that begin with the same letter. Author Laura Rankin was inspired to create this book by her deaf stepson. It is a wonderful introduction to the alphabet and to sign language, and the art is beautiful enough to merit sharing it with adults as well. Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book “Brilliant . . . Hauntingly luminous.”—The New York Times Book Review “Exquisitely detailed, realistically portrayed hands of different ages, sexes, and colors demonstrate the positions for the manual alphabet used in American Sign. An excellent introduction.”—Kirkus Reviews

The Handmade Alphabet (Picture Puffins)

Children's Books

Rankin, Laura

Literature & Fiction

Puffin

The Handmade Alphabet, Laura Rankin's striking interpretation of American Sign Language's manual alphabet, was called a glorious success by Publishers Weekly and was named an ALA Notable Children's Book and a Boston GlobeHorn Book Nonfiction Honor Book, among many honors. In her new book, this gifted artist shows readers how to count using ASL, pairing the signs for the numbers 1-20, 25, 50, 75, and 100 with beautifully drawn objects ranging from lifelike butterflies to bright windup toys. Each picture is at once a joyful invitation to learn counting and a fascinating introduction to the eloquent language of signing. Laura Rankin has been inspired to create books about ASL by her experience with her stepson, who is deaf and whose life changed dramatically when he learned to sign at age eighteen. Laura Rankin lives in southern Maine.

The handmade counting book

Growing Up & Facts of Life

scholastic

Ruthie loves little things--the smaller, the better. When she finds a teeny tiny toy on the school playground, she can hardly believe her luck. There's just one problem: it belongs to somebody else! Ruthie insists the toy is hers, but deep down, she knows better. How could one little toy turn into such a great big problem?

Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie

Fluffy and Baron

Scholastic. Inc.

Presents the handshape for each letter of the American manual alphabet accompanied by an object whose name begins with that letter

The Handmade Alphabet

Demco Media

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Presents the handshape for each letter of the American manual alphabet accompanied by an object whose name begins with that letter.

Turtleback Books

Merl and Jasper's Supper Caper

It's suppertime, and a little girl named Ann has just enough time to sketch Merl and Jasper, an adorable cat and dog, before being called to dinner. But Ann isn't the only one who's hungry, so are Merl and Jasper! And since supper isn't brought to them, they have to go find supper. What better place for a paper dog and cat to look than on the pages of Ann's favorite books. Young readers will love seeing familiar fairy tale characters as Merl and Jasper follow their noses (and stomachs) up the beanstalk and down to the bottom of the sea--until they discover that the perfect supper is up to them and their imaginations. Without sacrificing the pure fun of a good story, memorable characters, and exhilarating illustrations, Laura Rankin (Handmaid Alphabet) cleverly conveys the idea that books are food for the soul.

Knopf Books for Young Readers

It's suppertime, and a little girl named Ann has just enough time to sketch Merl and Jasper, an adorable cat and dog, before being called to dinner. But Ann isn't the only one who's hungry, so are Merl and Jasper! And since supper isn't brought to them, they have to go find supper. What better place for a paper dog and cat to look than on the pages of Ann's favorite books. Young readers will love seeing familiar fairy tale characters as Merl and Jasper follow their noses (and stomachs) up the beanstalk and down to the bottom of the sea--until they discover that the perfect supper is up to them and their imaginations. Without sacrificing the pure fun of a good story, memorable characters, and exhilarating illustrations, Laura Rankin (Handmaid Alphabet) cleverly conveys the idea that books are food for the soul.  

Dragonfly

Presents the handshape for each letter of the American manual alphabet accompanied by an object whose name begins with that letter

Education & Reference

Dial

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Rankin, Laura. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Rankin, Laura

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Rankin, Laura. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Handmade Alphabet (Picture Puffins)

The handmade counting book

Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie

Fluffy and Baron

The Handmade Alphabet

The Handmade Alphabet

Merl and Jasper's Supper Caper

Merl and Jasper's Supper Caper

Merl and Jasper's Supper Caper

The Handmade Alphabet