Child's Play

Signed Stories brings traditional picture books alive through sign language, simple animation
and storytelling.

Launched in February 2009 as part of ITV's Corporate and Social Responsibility initiative, the Signed Stories website offers children, their families and teachers all around the world the opportunity to enjoy some of the best contemporary children's stories. The free online library offers stories in British Sign Language, text, animation, pictures, narration and sound.

See the Child's Play titles that are available on the website by clicking here.

In light of the success of the initiative ITV are now launching the new Signed Stories App. The initial launch of the App is in an exclusive partnership with Child's Play and will only feature books from our range. This is a great recognition of the high quality of our products and our precedent for being both diverse and inclusive in our publishing while still creating imaginative, enagaging, and entertaining children's books.

The UK’s National Literacy Trust says the best chance for children to learn to read well is to ensure that they have a rich language experience early in life.

Sign language is beneficial for all children. Hands, body movement and facial expressions really bring stories to life, helping to make storytelling a really special time for families.

Sign language also gives children a means to express themselves and to communicate with the people around them - this is hugely important for deaf children and those with communication difficulties linked with autism, dyslexia, cerebral palsy and Down’s Syndrome.

Research in the United States shows that babies can also benefit from learning sign language. They can learn and use simple signs to express their everyday needs and wants before speech develops, which reduces frustration and builds confidence.

The Signed Stories app for iPad, iPhone and iPod touch, featuring Child’s Play books, is perfect for bedtime, for playtime, for holidays and when you’re on-the-move. Download the free app now and get Three Billy Goats Gruff for free.

Each book comes with two sign language games and ten signed dictionary words to extend learning. Story notes help parents and carers choose books and plan after-story activities.

There are options to view the stories with or without sign language and subtitles, giving all children the chance to improve written, spoken and sign language skills.

With advice from Dyslexia action, the subtitles can be customised to make reading easier.

Child’s Play books available on the Signed Stories app now:

1. Dingo Dog and the Billabong Storm
2. First Time Nursery
3. Stone Soup
4. The Ant and the Big Bad Bully Goat
5. The Cloud
6. The Cockerel, the Mouse and The Little Red Hen
7. The Elves and the Shoemaker
8. The Flower
9. The Frog Prince
10. The Lost Stars
11. Three Billy Goats Gruff
12. Three Little Pigs
13. Rabbit Cooks up a Cunning Plan
14. Hansel and Gretel