There are so many ways to think about what we do and how we do things. Today’s perfectly paired Picture Books look at one important tool that we all share: our hands!
Whose Hands Are These? A Community Helper Guessing Book
Author: Miranda Paul
Illustrator: Luciana Navarra Powell
Publisher/Date: Lerner Publishing Group/2016
Ages: 4-9
Themes: hands; rhyming; concept book; helping occupations; non-fiction
Short Synopsis (from Goodreads):
If your hands can mix and mash, what job might you have? What if your hands reach, wrench, yank, and crank? The hands in this book–and the people attached to them–do all sorts of helpful work. And together, these helpers make their community a safe and fun place to live. As you read, keep an eye out for community members who make repeat appearances! Can you guess all the jobs based on the actions of these busy hands?
Read a review at The Grog.
With My Hands: Poems About Making Things
Author: Amy Ludwig VanDerwater
Illustrators: Lou Fancher & Steve Johnson
Publisher/Date: Clarion Books/2018
Ages: 4-7
Themes: hands; poetry; art; creativity
Short Synopsis (from Goodreads):
For young makers and artists, brief, lively poems illustrated by a NYT bestselling duo celebrate the pleasures of working with your hands.
Building, baking, folding, drawing, shaping . . . making something with your own hands is a special, personal experience. Taking an idea from your imagination and turning it into something real is satisfying and makes the maker proud.
With My Hands is an inspiring invitation to tap into creativity and enjoy the hands-on energy that comes from making things.
Read a review at Enjoy and Embrace Learning.
I paired these books because…Who knows the answer? Hands up! Yep, the hands have it! Looking at their hands, Paul explores community helpers in a question-and-answer format that will engage young readers. VanDerwater encourages creativity in With My Hands, a collection of 26 poems that celebrate the joy of being a maker and making such things as a birdhouse or boat. How will you use your hands to help others and be a creator?
Wander, Ponder, Write 