Hand Book

by Jeff Newman

Starting with the clap of a baby’s chubby new hands, significant life moments are poignantly depicted with tender illustrations and sparse text in this masterful work from Jeff Newman. Hands wave good-bye as the first trip on the school bus is made; hands toss a cap in the air at college graduation. Shaking hands with someone new marks the start of a career, and, perhaps the most important gesture of all, finding the hand to hold forever ultimately begins the cycle anew. With no more than a few words on each spread and thick black line illustrations with spots of vibrant color, Hand Book is a beautiful testament to the journey of life and makes an ideal gift or keepsake.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Poetry

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 23, 2011

About the author

Jeff Newman grew up in Ashland, Massachusetts, and attended the Art Institute of Boston. He currently lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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Reviews

[Shawn Deal · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hand book showing hands as they get older in life and the more things they can do.

[Dianna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite. I didn't care for the illustrations, and the story line was out of reach for younger children.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the repetitive text makes this title a possibility for early readers, the concepts quickly grow too complicated for many of them to understand, moving from eating to drying to typing to tossing graduation caps and crossing out help wanted ads. Obviously, the ink, permanent marker, and goauche digital illustrations and storyline follow the life experiences of one baby who grows up to have his own baby, and the cycle starts again, but the mixed simplicity and complexity strike a discordant note for me.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a handy book indeed.

[Quinn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A simple book that tells all about hands and their function. This book is quite repetitive and uses the same phrase "hands ____", although it may sound simple I think this book would be quite useful in a pre k- kindergarten classroom. This book can teach students about hands and what they can be used for. However, one twist to the book that makes it a little less kid friendly is in the last few pages when the book talks about hands create more hands. This would be a difficult topic for a teacher to talk about which makes the book a little bit less useful. However, I think the overall message is easily shown through the illustrations and text.

[Cheryl]

Other reviewers rated it lower because they wanted it to be either simple for toddlers, or maybe interesting for families with older kids. I, personally, love the idea of showing the progressions of what hands do over a lifetime... because most of us will have a lifetime of new experiences....

[Melissa the Librarian]

Good book for concept of body parts, could work for baby storytime.

[Cynthia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little story within a story.

[Haylee Blystone · Rating 5 out of 5]

The parents and kids loved this one in Story Time. I had several parents that asked if we had more copies so they could check it out. Would use again.

[Spike's Place · Rating 5 out of 5]

Click here to place a hold at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library

[Lizzie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is quite calming and poetic. The little ones like the counting. I will act out some of the verbs: shaking, waving, etc for interactivity. It is a nice quite book that would also work for pajama time. There is some odds bits that I wouldn't have put in children's book : like hands crossed over classifieds ads. The kids might not the full context, but falling asleep while reading, yes they've seen that for sure in their lives.

[Shawn Thrasher · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting (if a bit simplistic) illustrations - but I kept thinking of Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb. If I were to give a gift to a child, I would definitely go with Al Perkins. But if I were taking a child to the public library and wanted to check out a book about hands, I certainly would do that!

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this is a sweet one. Loose scribbly illustrations show a pair of baby hands doing what baby hands do - clap, slap, eat - and then what hands do as the baby grows older. Wash, type, make, shake... until there is a new pair of baby hands clapping.

Full review on Pink Me: http://pinkme.typepad.com/pink-me/201...

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doh! After reading some of the reviews, I finally understood why the hands are crossed and the person is looking in the classified ads. I thought that was odd to have in a children's book. I approached it more as an interactive book, having the kids do different motions with their hands.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple text and unusual, sparse illustrations show readers the different ways hands are used. Concept is good for the preschool set, although some of the hands' actions probably won't be understood without some explanation.

[Mrs. Nelson's · Rating 4 out of 5]

Newman's visually appealing book is perfect for babies and toddlers who are just learning all the things their hands can do - lots of fun!
--Review by Lauren

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Newman's visually appealing book is perfect for babies and toddlers who are just learning all the things their hands can do - lots of fun!

[Linda Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

love the illustrations and in my humble opinion, it has cross appeal for all ages

[Michelle Farella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book. I think it would make a good action book for use in a preschool storytime. It would also be a good beginning reader book due to its use repetition and short sentences.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for tiny little ones - I'm surprised this isn't in a boardbook format.

[Donalyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the things hands can do. While this book seems geared to young children, some of the illustrations seem too sophisticated.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

one of those sentimental picture books that's more for an adult than a child

[Irina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a short little book about the things that hands can do. It's a great book for imitating the things you read; small children would love it.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I put this is the 'Oh the Places you'll go' category. It's a picture book that could easily be given to a graduate or an expectant parent.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 3 out of 5]

With minimal rhymed text, and sketchy images on white space, hands are shown throughout a life cycle. Seems almost as much a book for adults as for children.

[Huda Fel · Rating 2 out of 5]

what are the different uses of your hands? similar to the Arabic book "My Hands".

[Danica Midlil · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really for children exactly...

[Hannah Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books tells of so many things that hands can/will do. It starts from the beginning of life and goes through what life may hold and then it ends on baby hands, which I found to be very cute!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book for reading to special populations! Lots of great opportunities for interactivity.

[Tabi A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting, but I enjoyed it. Very sentimental.