Signs of Jays by Linda Kurtz Kingsley- a children's picture book about 2 Scrub Jay babies who get rescued, rehabilitated, and then mainstreamed back into the wild.....Great book for children with disabilities, especially relevant to hearing-impaired kids or any kids who want to learn about children with disabilities. Hand signs for some of the key words are included. Gorgeous illustration painted by Linda Kurtz Kingsley.
A Cornell Lab of Ornithology Education Department Children's Book Recommendation.

When narrator Pete and his mother rescue two abandoned Blue Jays, his friend Mike, who is deaf, and other deaf and hard of hearing students help take on the responsibility of caring for the baby birds. His mother explains that just like the students in her class who are preparing to mainstream, the jays are being prepared to mainstream back into the wild. This story is very much about bridging the communication between deaf and hearing children and how two boys overcome their barriers of communication to become friends. The title holds a double meaning. While this is a beginning "sign" language book, Pete and Mike are waiting for a "sign" from the birds that they have raised and freed into the wild. The book includes twenty-four signs and beautiful watercolor illustrations of children using American Sign Language and wearing hearing aids.
Sharon Pajka-West, Ph.D,
Assistant Professor,
Gallaudet University

A wonderful book for young listeners and early readers. The story of two orphaned scrub jays who are adopted by students, some of whom are hearing impaired, beautifully illustrates, in both the artwork and the descriptions, the task of growing, learning and adapting, to one's environment. Illustrations of the ASL alphabet, a pictoral signing dictionary, and inserts on each page on how to sign words from the page, all add to making this book an important addition to your child's library.
Annette Brehmer, School Librarian