NORWICH – In recent years, many parents and child care professionals have learned the value of teaching pre-verbal children how to communicate using sign language. After trying this concept on her own, one Norwich resident hopes to help other parents with her new book.

Michelle Cryan, originally of Oxford, will be signing copies of her first book “Where is Baby?: A Lift-the-Flap Sign Language Book” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at First Edition Bookstore.

“I was inspired by my son Miles,” Cryan said. “I started teaching him sign when he started waving bye-bye. I was amazed at how quickly he picked it up.”

Cryan said she had heard of how beneficial sign language was for pre-verbal children, but she couldn’t believe how quickly her son learned.

“Where is Baby?” asks 12 basic questions in American sign language and also gives the English translation. Children find the answers to the questions when they lift the flaps.