Charming, full-color photographs of basic animals plus illustrations of their corresponding signs offer children ages 1 to 4 a fun way to learn their first signs and vocabulary words. Constructed of sturdy cardboard with a protective finish on each page, this hearty book will withstand the hard use to which fascinated young children will subject it, reading it again and again. Studies have shown that babies who learn to sign can communicate at an earlier age than those who learn verbal communication alone. Other research indicates that children strengthen their grammar and vocabulary skills by learning sign language. "Animal Signs" and its companion book, "Word Signs," offer children exciting new worlds describing favorite things and animals while also making learning language skills fun.