Best Sign Language Books for Students (2026): 4 Picks Compared

Learning to sign starts with the right book: a full course with video for a serious student, or a picture book that teaches the alphabet to a young child. This list compares the best sign language books for students by course depth, length, and video, so the student can match the book to their goal.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Signing Naturally by Smith	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Basic Course ASL by Humphries	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Ada and the Helpers by Peterson	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon
4	ASL Dictionary by Sternberg	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Signing Naturally by Smith

Cheri Smith·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A student set for learners ages 10 and up who want homework, video, and culture notes across Units 1 to 6.

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Pros

• Homework for out-of-class study that matches classroom lessons
• Video from 12 native signers
• Print length of 448 pages across Units 1 to 6

Cons

• Published January 1, 2008, so the edition is older
• Reading age of 10 years and up, so it does not suit a younger child
• Book 1 of 2, so a student will want the second book

2

Basic Course ASL by Humphries

Tom Humphries·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A 22-lesson course text with drills and dialogues that suits a homeschool student aged 8 and up starting ASL from zero.

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Pros

• The listing describes 22 lessons, each with two to four explanations of language structures, followed by drills.
• Short dialogues throughout review the structures from the preceding lessons.
• The listing gives a reading age of 8 years and up, which fits school-age homeschool students.

Cons

• Publication date is January 1, 1994, an older edition.
• No grade level is stated on the listing.
• No answer key is mentioned in the description.

3

Ada and the Helpers by Peterson

Travis D. Peterson·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A picture book for young children who want to learn the ASL alphabet through a story.

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Pros

• One ASL alphabet word on each spread, 14 in all
• ASL alphabet chart in the back of the book
• Reading age of 1 to 7 years, marked as from customers, fits a young child

Cons

• Reading age is marked as from customers
• Print length of 32 pages is short for an older student
• Story format suits a young child, not a course student

4

ASL Dictionary by Sternberg

Martin L.A. Sternberg·9.5/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

An 800-page illustrated dictionary of more than 5,000 signs that suits a homeschool student aged 12 to 17 building vocabulary.

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Pros

• More than 5,000 signs and 8,000 illustrations in 800 pages.
• The listing gives a reading age of 12 to 17 years.
• Clear, detailed instructions for each sign are included.

Cons

• A dictionary supports vocabulary, not a full course plan.
• Publication date is November 4, 1998.
• No grade level is stated on the listing.

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More picks to compare

• Sign Language for Kids by HellerFor young learners starting with the alphabet and countingCheck on Amazon
• My First Book of Sign Language by HolubFor beginners learning fingerspelling and first signsCheck on Amazon
• ASL Green Books by Baker-ShenkFor students building conversational ability in unitsCheck on Amazon
• ASL Pocket Dictionary by HollisFor beginners wanting a compact quick referenceCheck on Amazon
• Pocket Genius ASL by DKFor young readers ages 8 to 12 learning everyday phrasesCheck on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 24 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. 2 of the picks list a reading age, and the other 2 state none. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best sign language books for students

Match the course to the student

A full course suits a student who wants homework and video, while a picture book suits a young child learning the alphabet. Signing Naturally pairs homework with a video library, and Ada and the Helpers teaches one alphabet word on each spread. For more workbook choices, browse all workbooks and homeschool books.

Check video, length, and level

Signing Naturally includes video from 12 native signers, while the other picks list no video. Length runs from 32 pages to 448 pages, so check the level before buying. For reading practice, browse reading and phonics workbooks.

Title-only picks need a second look

Some picks list only a title, with no description, page count, or publisher stated. Check the full listing before buying one.

Before you buy

• Check the series number: Signing Naturally is Book 1 of 2.
• Compare the listed reading age: 10 years and up for Signing Naturally, 1 to 7 years for Ada and the Helpers, marked as from customers.
• For a title-only pick, confirm length, edition, and content on the full listing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Signing Naturally set include?

The listing states homework for out-of-class study, a topic index, culture notes, and video library access for 12 months.

What age is Ada and the Helpers for?

The listing gives a reading age of 1 to 7 years, marked as from customers, and a print length of 32 pages.

Which book suits a student who wants a full course?

Signing Naturally Units 1 to 6 is the course pick here, with 448 pages and video from 12 native signers.

Still deciding? Our top pickSigning Naturally by Smith

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Related lists

See every workbooks and homeschool list and all reading and phonics lists.

More lists: browse homeschool curriculum, math workbooks and sign language books for beginners.