Yes, I realize it’s not Friday, but I’m so thrilled about Miranda Paul and Luciana Powell’s new book, WHOSE HANDS ARE THESE?, that I can’t wait until Friday. I caught up with Miranda and Luciana Saturday at their book launch in San Diego. Their presentation was a big hit with kids and parents alike.
TITLE: WHOSE HANDS ARE THESE?
AUTHOR: Miranda Paul
ILLUSTRATOR: Luciana Navarro Powell
PUBLICATION INFO: Millbrook Press, 2016
ISBN:978-1467752145
SOURCE: personal copy
INTENDED AUDIENCE: ages 4+
GENRE: nonfiction picture book
OPENING and SYNOPSIS:
“Hands can wiggle, hands can clap.
Hands can wrap and flap and tap.
But hands can help — so raise yours, please!
Can you guess?
Whose hands are these?”
From the publisher: “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?”
THEMES/TOPICS: community workers, jobs
WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: Most kids in pre-k through first grade do community helper units, and there are plenty of books on the subject. In fact, my first-grader is studying community helpers and their jobs right now for the school social studies fair. Yet Paul and Powell make learning about these helpers loads of fun by creating a rhyming community helper guessing game. At the book launch, I learned that Powell used real people in her community as inspiration for her illustrations. The physician and a student from the book came to the launch. When we went out for lunch later in La Jolla, we ran into the reporter Luciana drew. What a small world!
RESOURCES/ACTIVITIES:
- Try creating your own community helper clues in rhyme. Can your parents and friends guess who you’ve described?
- What will your hands do? Try this art project. Make a hand print and then draw details that show what jobs your hands might do when you grow up.
- For teachers, Miranda’s Web site has this WHOSE HANDS teacher’s guide.
You’ll find way more cool books at Susanna Leonard Hill’s “Perfect Picture Books.” Every Friday folks review a host of new books. Join us!
Kirsten W. Larson 
I want to get this book for my students! How neat you got to meet Miranda!
I couldn’t believe how perfect the timing was, since my first-grader is doing a unit on community helpers. Total kismet.
I look forward to reading Miranda’s book! Like the theme of community helpers.
It’s wonderful. You will love it!
Oh, I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy. Now that we have a wee one in the family, I’m always on the lookout for new books!
It’s a really fun read aloud. You can also play a lot of hide and seek with the illustrations. See if you can find the Millennium Falcon Enjoy!