Beautiful hands

Kathryn Otoshi

Book - 2015

A celebration of the many things children can accomplish with their little hands is illustrated with artwork created using thumbprints and handprints.

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Subjects
Genres
Picture books
Published
Novato, CA : Blue Dot Press [2015]
Language
English
Main Author
Kathryn Otoshi (author)
Other Authors
Bret Baumgarten (author)
Physical Description
1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 24 cm
ISBN
9780990799306
Contents unavailable.
Review by Booklist Review

*Starred Review* Otoshi is notable for books that are both lovely in their simplicity and their ability to make children (and adults) think. Previous books One (2008), Zero (2010), and Two (2014) all dealt with some of the difficulties of childhood and how to resolve them. This title, based on exchanges coauthor Baumgarten had with his young children, highlights the possibilities that exist, even for little ones, to make the world a better place. What will your beautiful hands do today? is the question that leads off the book, and the answers are many. Will they plant? And, if so, What can you plant? Ideas, perhaps. What can you touch? Hearts. What can you lift? Spirits. Each double-page spread features a bold image such as a bird, a butterfly, or a dragon drenched in color against a pure white background, with handprints used to form and texture a great deal of the images and text. An arresting penultimate spread of a tree whose canopy is formed of handprint leaves is also filled with ideas children can reach for: peace, truth, faith, hope, and dreams. Books are often either useful or touching, full of message or full of wonder. This one has both in abundance.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2015 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review

This celebration of human capability subverts expectations with every page turn, as Otoshi (Two) and Baumgarten twist physical actions, such as planting or lifting, into more abstract ideas. "What will your beautiful hands do today?" begins the book; the question is one Baumgarten asked his children daily, before his death in 2014. Images created from handprints and fingerprints, inked in a vibrant palette of paint and set against white backgrounds, accompany reader-directed questions that are broken up over page turns, allowing each surprising conclusion to make its full impact. "Will you plant... ideas?" write the authors, as circles of handprints attached to green stems suggest both fiery dandelions and the explosive energy of an epiphany. In two spreads dedicated to the phrase "Will they lift... spirits?" a tiny bird is first seen perched on a yellow hand; a page turn reveals the bird in its full splendor as its wings stretch across the spread, slender blue and magenta fingerprints transformed into delicate feathers. It's an inspiring reminder of all the intangible things that our bodies, hearts, and minds have the capacity to do. Ages 3-up. (Sept.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review

PreS-Gr 1-This colorful concept book will inspire creativity in children and teachers alike. Baumgarten's inspiration for creating the work was holding the hands of his children and asking, "What will your beautiful hands do today?" This book asks questions on each spread (e.g., "Will they [your hands] lift?... What can they lift?") and uses simple or complex handprints to illustrate. Young elementary school students have made turkeys and flowers with their handprints for years, but these illustrations take handprints to another level. The primary and secondary colors jump off white backgrounds and demonstrate that handprints can be more complex when hands swoosh and swirl, or tiny fingertips create big images. The text is spare but encourages stretching imaginations and thinking of the wonderful possibilities each new day brings. VERDICT A first purchase for preschool and kindergarten audiences that would work well to stimulate art activities or the introduction of primary colors and color mixing.-Mary Hazelton, formerly at Warren & Waldoboro Elementary Schools, ME © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.