Children & families

BSL books for children and families

British Sign Language and Deaf-experience books for children and families – picture books, first-signs board books and stories about deaf identity to share at home or in the classroom.

Some links are affiliate links to Bookshop.org. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support the free BSL tools and resources on british-sign.co.uk, and Bookshop.org supports independent bookshops.

Cover of Can Bears Ski?
Children · Deaf experience

Can Bears Ski?

Raymond Antrobus, illustrated by Polly Dunbar

An own-voice picture book about a deaf child beginning to understand his hearing and getting hearing aids. It draws on the creators’ personal experiences, and the current paperback includes an illustrated BSL alphabet.

View on Bookshop.org
Cover of Proud to be Deaf
Children · Families · Schools

Proud to be Deaf

Ava Beese, Lilli Beese & Nick Beese

A positive, child-led introduction to Deaf identity, community and BSL. Ava shares her own experiences and introduces more than 100 signs, making it particularly useful for children, families and schools.

View on Bookshop.org
Cover of My First Signs
Children · First signs

My First Signs

Annie Kubler

Simple everyday first signs for babies and toddlers. A good starting point for parents signing at home.

View on Bookshop.org
Cover of My First Animal Signs: BSL
Babies & toddlers

My First Animal Signs: BSL

Anthony Lewis

A sturdy board book of first BSL animal signs for babies and toddlers – clear, friendly illustrations to sign and say together.

View on Bookshop.org
Cover of Meal Time: BSL
Babies & toddlers

Meal Time: BSL

Anthony Lewis

First BSL signs for mealtimes – a board book of everyday food and drink signs to share with the youngest signers.

View on Bookshop.org
Cover of Play Time: BSL
Babies & toddlers

Play Time: BSL

Anthony Lewis

First BSL signs for play – a bright board book of everyday playtime signs for babies and toddlers.

View on Bookshop.org
Cover of Let’s Sign Early Years: BSL Building Blocks
Early years

Let’s Sign Early Years: BSL Building Blocks

Cath Smith & Sandra Teasdale

Everyday early-years BSL signs with clear colour illustrations, for babies, toddlers and the adults around them. A practical building-blocks guide from the Let’s Sign series.

View on Bookshop.org
Cover of Freddie and the Fairy
Picture book

Freddie and the Fairy

Julia Donaldson

A rhyming Julia Donaldson picture book about a fairy who mishears Freddie’s wishes – a gentle, funny way to talk with young children about listening and communicating clearly.

View on Bookshop.org

Related on british-sign.co.uk