Literary Reviews:
The Los Angeles Times (9/23/99) about Sign and ABCs : From Steve Kokette,
creator of the engaging "Sign Songs" video, this playful,
well-produced introduction to American Sign Language is enjoyable for anyone. It
teaches the alphabet, fingerspelled words and expressive signs for many words
with the help of a raft of kids and two highly appealing actors who take center
stage, acting out word skits to bring the lessons to life: Antoinette Abbamonte,
formerly with Cleveland SignStage Theatre, and John Kinstler, a former member of
the National Theatre of the Deaf.
Closing the Gap (April/May, 1999) on Sign Songs, Sign and ABCs, and
Beginning Reading and Sign Language: "All three videos are fun for hearing
children as well as for those who are hearing impaired".
Today's Parent (October, 1995): "Sign Songs presents 11 songs
written and sung by American Ken Lonnquist and signed by John Kinstler, a former
actor with the U.S. based National Theatre of the Deaf. The result is quite
engaging - the songs are great and the signing by Kinstler and others adds
visual appeal to the performance....While this is not an instructional video per
se, it's still a fun introduction to signing for hearing children".
The Chicago Tribune (April 23, 1998) gave Sign and ABCs four stars, the
most they give on reviews.
San Diego Union-Tribune (1/9/99): About Sign Songs and Sign and ABCs:
"Kids can get an enjoyable introduction to Sign language with these
engaging videos..." On Sign and ABCs: "It's much easier than trying to
learn Sign from drawings in a book. Kids and adults will feel rewarded when they
can ultimately sing and sign the alphabet with the actors at the video's
conclusion". On Sign Songs: "Geared to kids 5 to 10, but fun for all
ages..."
The Parent Paper (July, 1998): "Sign and ABCs breaks the myth that
Sign language is only for the hearing impaired".
School Library Journal (May, 1998) on Sign and ABCs: "...an
enjoyable video for learning the ABCs as well as for learning Sign
language".
Dallas Morning News (8/28/98): "Sign and ABCs from Aylmer Press
offers an excellent introduction to the ASL alphabet, with Antoinette Abbamonte
and John Kinstler, both professional Sign performers".
Booklist (5/15/99) about Sign and ABCs: "...smooth integration of
signed, spoken, and written expression. A fine companion to Sign Songs".
Tidewater and Peninsula Parent (July, 1999): About Sign Songs: "The
songs are funny, cute, ridiculous and upbeat and the tunes are catchy enough to
keep an adult interested as well as any child". On Sign and ABCs:
"This video is so much fun your children won't realize it's also
educational".
MetroKids (May, 1998): "Sign and ABCs is a low-key, easy way to
learn basic signs and the ABCs. It introduces finger spelling as a fun game and
a chance to practise letters in a new way".
The Cedar Rapids Gazette (7/17/97) on Sign Songs: "The songs are
cute, fun, simple..."
Publisher's Weekly (6/15/98): "Sign and ABCs, a new interactive
video, is one fun way to bridge the communication gap between the hearing and
the deaf".
School Library Journal (November 1994) reviewed Sign Songs and said,
"The songs are fun, and the production promotes the stated benefits of
learning Sign language for hearing childern which include improved reading
ability, development of motor skills, and increased ability to learn other
languages."
The Parent Paper (October 1994) said "A new video, Sign Songs, makes
learning Sign language easy and painless, especially for kids, who are less
intimidated by the idea of learning a "foreign language" and already
perceive videos as nothing but fun."
Joanne Mautone, The Big Apple Parents' Paper, on Beginning Reading and
Sign Language: "My own daughter is 3 and 1/2 years old and at that age when
she loves to mimic, aside from really enjoying the animals, she copied each sign
as a way of participating. When I did it with her, we made it a fun game to
play".
Chicago Parent (March, 1998) about Sign and ABCs: "For any child
with an interest in learning ASL, this tape is ideal....The main presenters,
Antoinette Abbamonte and John Kinstler, both highly expressive actors, are warm
and engaging".
Jim Meunink, video producer and botany professor, concerning Beginning
Reading and Sign Language: "Enjoyed watching your video. Very impressive.
Happened to be two kids in the house with my daughter. The three of them watched
the program and really got into it. Held their attention for a long time. You
really have something here".
Children's Bookwatch (October 1994) said Sign Songs was "very
stimulating" and "The duo blend of instrument playing and singing
invite kids to appreciate the rhythms of signing." Also, they said
Beginning Reading and Sign Language was "the clear and easy introduction
for kids."
Exchange (December 1991) printed that Beginning Reading and Sign Language
was entertaining and educational.
The Los Angeles Times (8/23/94) said Sign Songs was "a thoroughly
engaging music-storytelling video for both hearing and hard-of-hearing
children," and also said "the upbeat songs offer creative,
irresistible word play for expanding vocabularies in both spoken word and Sign
language."
The Long Island Parenting News (August 1998) said Sign and ABCs was
"fun to copy the signs and finger spelling" and "the whole family
can enjoy while reinforcing reading skills."
Fan Letters:
Dear Aylmer Press,
Please send me the three Sign videos; Sign Songs - John Kinstler, Sign and ABCs
- John Kinstler and Antoinette Abbamonte, Beginning Reading and Sign Language. I
have enclosed a check for $55.00 for all three videos... Thanks for making such
awesome Sign videos.
- A letter from Kansas
Aylmer Press,
I have already purchased your 3 sign videos and my daughter loves them. I am
writing you because I would like information on how to buy the 3 Ken Lonnquist
albums that he mentions in the beginning of "Sign Songs". Thank you.
My daughter loves his music and so do I.
- A letter from New York
Dear people,
My son is hearing but he sure loves your videos - he signs and speaks at the
same time!
- A letter from New Mexico
I have had the chance to watch some videos that were ordered from you and really
enjoyed them. I am a deaf interpreter here in Nebraska, and am always looking
for materials. I would love to get a catalog from you with the hopes that you'll
have many things available on Signing, and etc.
- A letter from Nebraska
Dear Aylmer Press,
Please send information on your videos, Sign Songs and Beginning Reading and
Sign Language. My children are getting tired of checking it out of the library
and want to be able to watch it on demand. I would appreciate info on any other
sign language videos you have available.
- A letter from Florida
To whom it may concern,
I viewed your Beginning Reading and Sign Language video and was very impressed,
it's so much easier to learn sign from video than printed pictures. I work with
elementary children in public schools...
- A letter from Oregon, 3/23/93
We only just "discovered" Beginning Reading and Sign Language at our
county library. Although my children are 7, 10, and 13 we all enjoyed it and
learned a lot. I have had an intro to ASL, so they had something to build on.
It's a wonderful tape - so easy to learn from... Thank you - we intend on
reviewing this a lot.
- A letter from Maryland, 9/17/92
Dear Aylmer Press,
Our family has checked out your video Sign Songs, with Ken Lonnquist, from our
local public library a number of times, and my children (especially the 3 year
old, the youngest!) love "John" (as they call it)... None of us is
deaf, but I know - and teach my children - some Sign Language, and it is nice
for them to have another source to learn from. Thank you!
- A letter from Nebraska
Aylmer Press,
I am writing to let you know my 6 grand kids all enjoyed "Beginning Reading
and Sign Language". The kids are age's 3-7-8-10-17- and 19... They and
myself all enjoyed learning from it. It's a great video. Hope you do more! Thank
you!
- A letter from Ohio, 9/17/91
To Whom It May Concern,
I'd like to order some of your videos and if possible CDs. My six children
really enjoy the tape Sign Songs, and of course so do I. I'm learning sign
myself, along with three of my children. One daughter wears two hearing aids, so
it helps. Thank you.
- A letter from Hawaii
Dear Aylmer Press,
My daughter loves your videotape "Beginning Reading and Sign
Language". Please let me know how I can obtain your next videotape.
- An R.N. from Florida, 1/20/92
Dear Mr. Kokette,
...I am so excited about teaching sign language to my son and learning with him
as well. I appreciate everything you sent me. Now I'm even more confident that
what I thought was a good idea (learning sign) is a good idea. There are so many
things available to occupy children and so few that I have come across have
lasting and substantial value. I'm so glad Aylmer Press exists!... Thanks you,
thank you for such a great contribution to children.
- A letter from Texas
To whom it may concern,
My daughter began watching Sign Songs and Beginning Reading and Sign Language
when she was just two years old and immediately fell in love with both videos.
Not only are they entertaining and hold her interest, but they challenge her
mind and educate as well. She has learned to sign many words from Beginning
Reading and Sign Language. It's a delight for both of us to sit together and
sign right along with this video as we learn. Similarly, the stories from Sign
Songs are fun and amusing and we love to sing the songs. It's terribly
satisfying as a parent to find videos like these that are uplifting, fun and yet
stimulate my child's mind. She has been watching these videos for almost two
years now and still shows as much interest as the very first day. One can be
sure that my newborn will eventually be shown Sign Songs and Beginning Reading
and Sign Language as well, and I feel confident she will also become a big fan.
- A letter from Illinois, 12/1/95
Dear Aylmer Press,
I wanted to let you know how much my four year old niece loved your tape (Beginng
Reading and Sign Language). I was told she doesn't go visiting without her tape
and she is picking up and using signs from the tape. Thank you for making such a
wonderful tape.
- A letter from Wisconsin, 6/13/91
To Whom It May Concern,
We have borrowed a video from our local library put out by Aylmer Press on sign
language. It is called Sign and ABCs. We are very impressed by the quality of
this video featuring Antoinette Abbamonte and John Kinstler and I would like to
purchase a copy. Would you please send me the information and cost (I live in
Canada) and if you have other similar videos, I would be extremely grateful...
- A letter from Alberta, 6/9/00
I recently borrowed one of your Sign Songs videotapes from my public library. It
is very cute and well done. My five year old daughter loves them as does my
eight year old hearing daughter. How can I purchase these?
- A letter from California
Dear Aylmer Press,
We have two of your sign tapes. We think they are great. We have no hearing
impaired in our family but stay open minded about all sorts of special people.
Please let us know if you have produced more videos...
- A letter from Iowa, 7/31/96
Dear Sirs,
I enjoy the Sign Songs video for my daycare. Would you send me a catalog of the
other tapes.
- A letter from Connecticut, 9/11/96
To Aylmer Press,
I was very impressed with your video Sign and ABCs... My neighbor happened to
find this sole copy of Sign and ABCs. I would like to order three more
videotapes of Sign and ABCs, as well as ordering Sign Songs and Beginning
Reading and Sign Language. Please contact me at your earliest convenience.
- A letter from Maryland, 8/30/99
Gentlemen:
I have received the tape Sign Songs. It is a masterpiece. ...So, this is what
family fun is all about and you are to be congratulated for your efforts to keep
families together through your tape and songbook.
- A letter from Texas, 6/30/94
Sirs:
This is to put in an order for one of your video cassettes of Sign and ABCs with
Antoinette Abbamonte and John Kinstler. Kindly let me know the price for the
above mentioned video cassette...
- A letter from Virginia, 6/26/00
Dear Sirs,
Your video Sign Songs is just great! Please send me any information you have on
videos, songbooks, etc.
- A letter from North Carolina, 3/17/97
Dear Sirs,
Recently I borrowed Sign and ABCs from my library. My three year old enjoyed it
so much I would like to purchase a copy from you. I am also interested in any
other videos you might offer...
- A letter from Washington, 7/29/00
Hi,
My wife Nancy is a 47 year old who just experienced going deaf completely in
both ears... We got ahold of one of your tapes - Beginning Reading and Sign
Language... We found this tape quite interesting, and was wondering if you could
send us a list of different tapes that you have... We would appreciate anything
that you could send us, as this is quite hard learning out of a book.
- A letter from Indiana, 4/12/94
To whom it may concern,
I just borrowed the video Sign Songs from the library. Wow, what a nice piece of
work. Please send me info on purchasing the video along with the other items
available.
- A letter from Wisconsin
To Ken Lonnquist or whom it may concern:
Hi! Me, my son and husband love your tape Sign Songs. We have been watching it
for 3 and 1/2 years now... ...Keep up the great work. It makes me so happy to
know that there are wonderful people out there like you and your partner (who
signs) helping to make the world brighter.
- A letter from Colorado, 7/14/99