Sign Songs

Sign Songs features children's singer/songwriter Ken Lonnquist performing 11 songs, while John Kinstler signs the lyrics. The program is apparently aimed at hearing kids who, by learning sign language, will obtain the benefits of "improved reading ability, development of motor skills, appreciation of different cultures, and an increased ability to learn other languages" according to the video box. These are questionable claims, at best (and surely, there are more direct routes to each of these benefits). Too, some of the song lyrics, as translated for the song sheet, do not readily lend themselves to better reading. For instance, the song "Say Please" opens: "Once a girl never say please/No matter yourself kneel and ask/She sit at table you ask say please/Yell at her mom with words like what?" This is borderline unintelligible. Finally, at $49.95 this is a little pricey for a sing-along. On the plus side, however, the music videos are cute, and the songs are really wonderful. (We would highly recommend Lonnquist's cassette tapes "Kengos Bongos," "A Little Dreamin'," and "Welcome 2 Kenland," also available from Aylmer Press.) Sign Songs, the video, is an optional purchase. Ages 4-9. (R. Pitman)