--- title: ASL/English Storybook iPad App description: Allison Gingras, mother of a profoundly deaf little girl, reviews a wonderful new American Sign Language/English Storybook App for iPad. This app exposes hearing children to ASL, and Deaf/HoH childre --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2015/03/20/aslenglish-storybook-ipad-app#) # ASL/English Storybook iPad App Mar 20, 2015 7:00:31 AM  |  by [Allison Gingras](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/allison-gingras) [![](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/TechTalk-sized-652.png?width=326&height=244&name=TechTalk-sized-652.png "TechTalk sized")](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/TechTalk-sized-652.png) Interactive ASL/English Storybook App – from Gallaudet University Supported Platforms: iOS - iPad (All Versions) and iPad Mini Price: $4.99, available on Apple iTunes Store Recommended for: Early and emerging readers, ages 5 & up American Sign Language (ASL), is not "English on your hands," but actually contains its own syntax and grammar among other elements, establishing it as its own language.  Many schools recognize ASL as meeting foreign language requirements, and since it is the 3rd most used language in the US, this mother of a profound deaf 9-year-old, finds that very encouraging.  The more people to acquire knowledge of ASL, even at a rudimentary level to be able to communicate with my daughter, the happier this mom will be.  Additionally, research has indicated the benefit of multiple language exposure for children in the area of literacy. These remarkably done storybook Apps are perfectly designed for exposing hearing children to ASL and Deaf/Hard of Hearing (HoH) children to English.   The VL2 Storybooks Apps comes out of [Gallaudet University](http://www.gallaudet.edu/), is the world's leading higher education institute for providing ground-breaking education for the Deaf/HoH.  The Baobab and the VL2 storybook app series are designed and managed by Melissa Malzkuhn, VL2’s Digital Innovation & Media Strategies Manager. > Every child loves, and deserves, a great story. Great stories invite children into our vast world, encouraging new ways to imagine and then leading them down the path to reading and learning. The inspiration behind the[ VL2 Storybook Apps](http://vl2storybookapps.com/) comes from the belief that there are many ways to tell a great story.  Our way is to provide exciting and captivating stories in both American Sign Language (ASL) and English. Children can watch the story in ASL or start reading it in English…Several major research studies on bilingualism and visual learning show that learning two languages leads to greater literacy skills in both languages, and the younger, the better. Young visual learners, deaf and hearing, do benefit tremendously from continued exposure to ASL and written English. FEATURES as outlined on the [V12storybookapps](http://vl2storybookapps.com/) website: - Original story told in ASL and English - Easy & accessible navigation designed for children - Rich interactive narrative with direct English to ASL vocabulary video translation - 170-word American Sign Language glossary. Parents can learn ASL along with their child - Vivid Retina supported watercolor illustrations - App design is based on proven research in bilingualism and visual learning. The ability to view the story in both, ASL and English leads to greater literacy skills in both languages in young children   [![1-baobabpageone](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1-baobabpageone-533x400.png?width=533&height=400&name=1-baobabpageone-533x400.png)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/1-baobabpageone.png) The Boy Who Cried Wolf, "READ" mode, Page One, 2048 x 1536, 4.5 MB, Use for Retina Display   [![The Baobab Sentence Preview, 2048 x 1536, 6.2 MB, Use for Retina Display](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/2-baobabsentence-533x400.png?width=533&height=400&name=2-baobabsentence-533x400.png)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/2-baobabsentence.png) The Baobab Sentence Preview, 2048 x 1536, 6.2 MB, Use for Retina Display    [![Vocabulary Index ("LEARN")](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/4-baobabglossary.jpg?width=480&height=360&name=4-baobabglossary.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/4-baobabglossary.jpg) Vocabulary Index ("LEARN") - The Blue Lobster   There are also wonderful [lesson plans available](http://vl2storybookapps.com/lesson-plans/); though primarily for use in educating the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, some families, particularly homeschoolers, may find them of value.   [![Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US-UK_135x40](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US-UK_135x40.png?width=300&height=89&name=Download_on_the_App_Store_Badge_US-UK_135x40.png)](https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-baobab/id585916034?mt=8) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSg7L7imavU&t=28 **[Read more of our Tech Talk columns.](http://catholicmom.com/category/tech-talk/)** *Copyright 2015 Allison Gingras * ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F03%2F20%2Faslenglish-storybook-ipad-app%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F03%2F20%2Faslenglish-storybook-ipad-app%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F03%2F20%2Faslenglish-storybook-ipad-app%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=ASL%2FEnglish%20Storybook%20iPad%20App) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F03%2F20%2Faslenglish-storybook-ipad-app%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2015%2F03%2F20%2Faslenglish-storybook-ipad-app%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Allison Gingras](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Allison%20Square%20Bio.png) ### [Allison Gingras](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/allison-gingras) Allison Gingras [ReconciledToYou.com](https://reconciledtoyou.com) shares an everyday Catholic faith with humor and honesty. Her writing includes Jesus Heals: Finding Hope, Wholeness, and Peace; Seeking Peace; The Handy Little Guide to Novenas; Encountering Signs of Faith, and others. She is a co-host of the Through the Mysteries podcast. Allison is the Director of Digital Evangelization for Family Rosary USA. ## Related Blog Articles [ The Origin of (Some) Baby Names Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/the-origin-of-some-baby-names) [ Working While Kids Study in Your Office Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/working-while-kids-study-in-your-office) [ Empowering Parents to Protect their Kids from Cyberbullying Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/08/08/empowering-parents-to-protect-their-kids-from-cyberbullying) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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