Marvellous Messages: The Amazing Story of Communication

About this book

Nowadays, it may seem that we are constantly immersed in the business of communicating, from texting to using apps, emails, phones, TV, music… we live in the realm of technology. 

Born deaf, author Rose Ayling-Ellis learnt British Sign Language as a child, and this inspired her to celebrate all the ways that humans communicate to share their thoughts, feelings and ideas.  

Told as a time travel story in a variety of chapters through history and across the world, Rose Ayling-Ellis takes the reader on a journey through the development of communication, from pigeons delivering messages at the Olympic Games in ancient Greece and letters written in secret code in Roman times, to discovering legendary mathematician Muhammad Al-Khwarizmi at the House of Wisdom in ancient Persia and watching dancers tell stories with movement in Hawaii.  

As well as Rose’s exciting journey through time, the book includes profiles of some trailblazing superstars who have inspired Rose, from Haben Girma, a tireless campaigner for disabled people’s rights, to Ruth Montgomery, an inspirational musician and teacher who uses art, colour and sign language to bring music to life and make it accessible for all.