Book Review: As Easy as 1, 2, 3 (children's book, ASL, idioms)

As Easy as 1, 2, 3, by Vonda Hamilton (Heart to Heart Publishing, 2021, $24.99 hardcover with DVD, probably ages 4-9), author of Letting the Cat out of the Bag*

What a fantastic idea - an American Sign Language (ASL) book for children that explains idioms based on numbers and colors. I never knew there was an idiom for each of the numbers from 1-12!

The reader learns the ASL sign for each number and color, as well as the meaning of the corresponding idiom based on Christian scripture, using biblical verses as examples.

The illustrations are detailed enough to spark many conversations, too.

As Easy as 1, 2, 3 is clearly meant to be shared, as it is wide enough to fit on the laps of two people sitting side by side, perhaps a child and his adult who spend a lot of time on each page because there is so much to do and find and practice. And, I think, just maybe, that some of the many kids in the many illustrations are using ASL to communicate, too! After all, two of author Vonda Hamilton's children are deaf, plus she guides an interpreter training program and works in deaf culture studies when she is not teaching.     

'Catch 22,' '24/7,' 'tickled pink' and 'caught red-handed' are some of the idioms covered in this book which also could be helpful for people learning English as a Second Language.

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