Best Sign Language Books for Beginners (2026): 5 Picks Compared

A child fingerspells a first word at the kitchen table while a parent follows along, and the best sign language books for beginners turn that moment into a daily habit. We compared five beginner guides by reading age, grade level, page count and edition, for young readers and adults learning American Sign Language.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Sign Language Kids by Heller	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	My First Sign Book by Holub	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Everything Sign Language: Duke	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Signing Made Easy by Butterworth	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	My First Signs by Kubler	9.2/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Sign Language Kids by Heller

Lora Heller·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 photo-illustrated guide that takes young beginners from the alphabet and counting to full sentences in American Sign Language.

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Pros

• Starts with the alphabet and counting, then builds to family, school and everyday vocabulary
• Photos of children signing illustrate each sign
• Sentences accompany signs, showing verbs and grammar, including questions by facial expression

Cons

• Reading age of 2 to 8 years, marked as from customers, sits oddly against grade level 3 to 7
• Published July 1, 2004, so it is an older edition
• 96 pages, shorter than the 304-page general guide here

2

My First Sign Book by Holub

Joan Holub·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 first guide to fingerspelling that gives the sign for each letter of the alphabet plus words beginning with each letter, for the youngest beginners.

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Pros

• Gives the sign for each alphabet letter plus words beginning with each letter
• 32 pages, a short first book for very young readers
• Grade level Preschool to 3 and reading age 2 to 6 years, marked as from customers, fit early beginners

Cons

• Covers fingerspelling and first words, a narrower scope than the full-sentence guides here
• Published January 1, 2004, an older edition
• Reading age is marked as from customers, not as a publisher figure

3

Everything Sign Language: Duke

Irene Duke·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 comprehensive guide to American Sign Language basics with more than 300 illustrations, covering the alphabet, questions, numbers, money and time.

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Pros

• More than 300 illustrations guide the alphabet, questions, numbers, money and time
• Second updated edition, published April 17, 2009, with all new photos
• Covers signing etiquette and communicating with people in the Deaf community

Cons

• No reading age or grade level is stated
• Published April 17, 2009, an older edition
• No workbook exercises are stated in the description

4

Signing Made Easy by Butterworth

Rod R. Butterworth·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 text and workbook in one teaching SEE (Signing Exact English) with drills, for learners who want English sentence format; skip it if you want ASL specifically.

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Pros

• Text and workbook in one volume
• Teaches SEE in English sentence format
• Drills and practice exercises included, per the description

Cons

• No reading age or grade level is stated
• 1989 publication date, earlier than the other picks
• SEE differs from ASL, which may confuse ASL learners

5

My First Signs by Kubler

Annie Kubler·9.2/10 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 12-page beginner book of more than forty signs that suits a homeschool family introducing ASL to babies and toddlers.

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Pros

• More than forty essential signs with step-by-step instructions.
• Each page includes a beginner's tip for parents and caregivers.
• The description says it suits both hearing and deaf children.

Cons

• Reading age is Baby to 3 years, marked as from customers, which is below school grades.
• Print length is 12 pages.
• The grade level reads Kindergarten - with no end grade, which is unclear.

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More picks to compare

• Learn ASL for Adult BeginnersAdult beginner bundle of 3 books in 1 for signing in 30 days.Check on Amazon
• Pocket Genius ASL by DKPocket guide for children aged 8 to 12 with step-by-step illustrations.Check 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 for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. Two of the five picks list a reading age and grade level, and the other three state neither, so their age scores are zero. The two picks with no stated page count, age or contents score lowest. 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 beginners

Match the age and grade to the reader

The Heller guide lists a reading age of 2 to 8 years, marked as from customers, with grade level 3 to 7, while the Holub book lists a reading age of 2 to 6 years, marked as from customers, with grade level Preschool to 3. The Duke guide states no reading age or grade level, so it suits an older beginner. See also our best sign language workbook for beginners for a workbook-style option.

Pick the scope: first words or full language

The Holub book covers fingerspelling and first words, a narrow start for the youngest readers. The Heller guide moves from the alphabet and counting to full sentences, and the Duke guide covers the alphabet, questions, numbers, money and time plus signing etiquette. See also our best homeschool foreign language curriculum for wider language learning at home.

Check the edition and page count

The Heller guide is the Illustrated edition of July 1, 2004 with 96 pages, the Holub book is dated January 1, 2004 with 32 pages, and the Duke guide is the 2nd Updated edition of April 17, 2009 with 304 pages. A longer book covers more ground, while a shorter one suits a first look.

Before you buy

• Check the edition and publication date: July 1, 2004 for the Heller guide, January 1, 2004 for the Holub book, April 17, 2009 for the Duke guide.
• Check the reading age and grade level against the reader, and note when the age is marked as from customers.
• Check whether an answer key is stated: none of the five listings states one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should a complete beginner start?

Start with the alphabet: the Holub book gives the sign for each letter, and the Heller guide moves from the alphabet and counting to full sentences. The Duke guide adds questions, numbers, money and time for older beginners.

What age do these books suit?

The Heller guide lists a reading age of 2 to 8 years, marked as from customers, with grade level 3 to 7, and the Holub book lists 2 to 6 years, marked as from customers, with grade level Preschool to 3. The Duke guide states no reading age or grade level.

Which edition should I buy?

Buy the edition the listing states: the Heller guide is the Illustrated edition of July 1, 2004, the Holub book is dated January 1, 2004, and the Duke guide is the 2nd Updated edition of April 17, 2009. No newer edition is stated in any of the three listings.

Still deciding? Our top pickSign Language Kids by Heller

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