Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Lois Ehlert's Hands: Growing Up to Be an Artist (1997) returns with slightly reworked trimmings, but keeps the same die-cut pages-in the shapes of scissors, seed packets and more-as well as a "paint box" that opens. PW said of the original, "Ehlert works visual magic in showing how an artist's creativity flows through the hands." (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Horn Book Review
The original edition of Hands was cut to the shape of the cover image: a life-size work glove. This slightly larger edition, with its hardcover, rectangular jacket, will fare better on library shelves. A biographical author's note and small changes to the text and layout improve this appealing book that celebrates crafts, art, gardening, and general busyness. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
An unseen first-person protagonist tempts readers to try their hand at crafts by showing various tools up close. On cardstock paper bound in a small rectangle, shiny, colorful photos of screwdrivers, hammer, pliers, pincushion, scissors, fabric, a seed packet, and paint tell the visual story. Neither the narrator nor her craft-talented parents (woodworking dad, sewing mom) are seen as they build, stitch, and plant vegetable seeds; the tools stand in for the actions. The narrator knows already that when she grows up, she'll "join hands with my mom and dad" and become an artist. The different shapes of the pages can be a little awkward, extraneously cut out to match the objects on them, but the design is otherwise lovely. Photos of a lush open-up paint box, brushes, and paint splotches are irresistible--have some paints ready for readers to use themselves. (Picture book. 2-4) Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
