NITA'S DAY

A toddler signs in American Sign Language throughout the day.

Nita, who has beige skin and a blue bun on either side of their head, wakes up, receives a diaper change, dresses, and more, with two loving caregivers, also beige-skinned. Related signs for each of these activities (wake-up, change, and clothes, respectively) are demonstrated by Nita on panels revealed when the page is expanded by tugging on a tab. One or two images of Nita appear making the sign with directional arrows and short descriptions as needed. While these panels may be an engaging gimmick for active toddler readers, they make the book inordinately heavy and may not stand up to robust play. Tabbed pages make flipping to the correct sign easy for sleep-deprived parents using the book as a reference. Short, simple, descriptive sentences put the signs in context. Brezzi’s stylized cartoons are clear and accessible, employing a wide range of patterns and unusual colors. On the back page, a note for grown-ups encourages using sign language throughout the day to help children manage transitions and make sense of their world. The author’s webpage provides a video of the author sharing all the signs. Deaf culture, ASL, and early-childhood content were vetted by experts, making it suitable for Deaf children or families who want to incorporate sign into their daily routine.

A handy resource for hearing and Deaf families alike.