Poetry Friday Giveaway: Nita's First Signs
Hi, friends and poets. Happy Poetry Friday!A few weeks ago I went to a friend's book launch. I've blogged about YA author Kathy MacMillan before, when her debut novel SWORD AND VERSE published. (Read my post about SWORD AND VERSE here.)Kathy's latest book is something completely different: A board book story that teaches children and families how to use basic American Sign Language (ASL) together. In addition to being a fun read with great illustrations, NITA'S FIRST SIGNS has the *coolest* design. Hidden sliding pages reveal illustrations of how to make signs like "ball," "love," "more," and "milk."
Be sure to leave a comment if you'd like to be entered into a giveaway: A signed copy of NITA'S FIRST SIGNS, plus some other fun ASL-related treats.Kathy and I have talked a few times about posting an ASL poem for Poetry Friday. I'm so glad to welcome her to the blog today. We'll be taking a look at the poem "Dandelion" by Clayton Valli. As Kathy, who is an ASL interpreter and trainer, pointed out, "This will be a new way of experiencing poetry for most of your readers." It certainly was for me.Welcome, Kathy!When Laura asked me to select a poem to go with her post about my book, Nita's First Signs, I was so excited to share some American Sign Language (ASL) poetry with her readers.ASL poetry does not have a written form; it is composed and performed entirely in American Sign Language. While I could give you a rough transcript of what the poem means, that would not do justice to the cleverness and beauty or the interplay of form and meaning that an ASL poet shapes. ASL poetry simply must be experienced in a visual medium. For that reason, I will give you a description of the events and meanings in the poem, and then let you experience watching it for yourself.Meter, alliteration, rhythm, and rhyme are used in an entirely different way in a visual language. For example, a rhyme in ASL may consist of using two signs with similar handshapes to create a pleasing association, or adjusting the movement of the signs to lend visual harmony to the poem.The poem I have chosen is a classic of ASL literature: "Dandelion" by Dr. Clayton Valli. Dr. Valli was a pioneer in ASL poetry and linguistics, and was one of the first people to analyze the characteristics of ASL poetry.The poem, which is a little over a minute long, addresses the centuries-long oppression of Deaf people by the hearing world, which has long tried to eradicate deafness. Valli uses the image of dandelions to represent Deaf people and sign language itself. The man who pulls up and mows down the dandelions represents the hearing world trying to destroy Deaf culture. Valli uses various linguistic tools called classifiers to show the shape and movement of the dandelions as they grow and change. In the end, just like dandelions, the Deaf community has demonstrated a will to survive.I chose this poem because it emphasizes the intrinsic value and beauty of ASL and the Deaf community. While Nita's First Signs can be enjoyed by any families -- hearing, Deaf, or hard-of-hearing -- it is, at its heart, a story about the value of communication. Some readers have told me they think that Nita is Deaf, and some say hearing. The truth is, it doesn't matter -- because the most important gift any parent can give their child is the gift of communication. Giving a child the tools to communicate sends the message that we truly value what they have to say.
Kathy MacMillan is a writer, American Sign Language interpreter, librarian, signing storyteller, and avowed Hufflepuff. Nita’s First Signs, the first book in the Little Hands Signing board book series from Familius Press, was praised as “a wonderful introduction to the world of American Sign Language…for ALL infants, toddlers children AND adults” by Marlee Matlin. She is also the author of eight resource books for educators, librarians, and parents, including Little Hands and Big Hands: Children and Adults Signing Together (Huron Street Press, 2013). Her debut young adult novel, Sword and Verse (2016) was a finalist for the Compton Crook Award, and its companion novel, Dagger and Coin (2018) has been called a “complex feminist fantasy” by author Heidi Heilig. Kathy serves as the co-Regional Advisor for the Maryland/Delaware/West Virginia Region of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She lives near Baltimore, MD. Find her online atwww.kathymacmillan.com or on social media @kathys_quill.
Check out some of my favorite photos from the NITA'S FIRST SIGNS book launch at Baltimore's Ivy Bookshop. Remember to leave a comment for a chance to win a signed book and goodies. I will draw a name on Thursday 7/19 and will announce the winner next Poetry Friday, 7/20.
