Signed Stories in BSL: Celebrating Diversity

It's Ben's birthday, but he doesn't want a party to celebrate. However, his friends ensure that Ben has a birthday to remember - one in which all children feel included. Ben is deaf and uses sign language to communicate with some of his friends; it's perfect for showing diversity in a mainstream classroom or within the family.

When a new boy joins Matthew's school, he's not sure if he wants a friend like Simon. Sometimes, Simon doesn't act like the other children in his class. But a school trip to the funfair soon helps Matthew change his mind!

This story, told through the eyes of a child, sensitively deals with a parent's mental health illness. Children cope better when they understand what is happening around them. This story promotes understanding and acts as a springboard for talking about how we feel.

Freddie was looking forward to summer camp, but now that his best friend can't go, he's worried that he won't know anyone and will feel left out. However, it's not long before a boy called Jerry shows him otherwise! Jerry has Down's Syndrome and this book is perfect for showing children that every person is unique and has different characteristics, and that these differences should be celebrated.

Susan is good and she's bad, she's happy and she's sad. This story describes a range of emotions and activities experienced by Susan, which children will identify with. Not until the end of the story is it revealed that Susan uses a wheelchair.

'The Cloud' is a beautiful picture book, but there's also a deeper meaning. We have no idea why the little girl has a black cloud above her. The story can be interpreted in different ways to suit the needs of families and teachers - for example, dealing with loss and grief, with loneliness, or feeling excluded.