One Hand, Two Hands by Max Lucado

I received this book from Thomas Nelson book review bloggers program. http://brb.thomasnelson.com/

You can visit the One Hand, Two Hands at http://www.maxlucado.net/_product_30438/One_Hand_Two_Hands_(Hardback)

I was very impressed with this book.

It is written:

• In an easy to read style with rhyming words on every page - 24 full pages

• The rhymes will be easily memorized by the child and will no doubt be used many times during the day.

• Although the illustrations use a little girl on each page, the words are gender neutral and one page does include a little boy.

• The little girl engages the reader by her interaction with her large St Bernard style puppy dog and also her pet kitty cat.

• The way she cares for her stuffed animals and make them come to life dancing with her in the garden is just what kids love to do – play pretend.

• It brings an important message to young children about Helping Hands, Kind Hands, and Loving Hands and also makes ordinary chores look like too much fun.

• I especially enjoyed the page where the little girl is sitting cuddled in her Grandma’s lap – “with hands and a hug, we make people feel better”

The pictures:

• Are certain to keep your little ones attention; with lots of details and color to look at while you’re doing the reading.

• One page shows the girl and her animal friends dressed up in baseball uniforms and a frog jumping excitedly on home plate.

• Another favourite page of mine is near the end where the little girl is kneeling beside her bed with the big puppy dog saying her prayers; the other animals are lined up on her bed, covered with a beautiful hand stitched quilt!

• The little girl is pictured as very independent – parents are only showed once.

• There is a lot of material on each page, providing good quality reading time

This book could be improved by:

• Making it in a smaller format – at approx 10 in x 10 in - it is hard for little ones to turn the pages but please keep the large format as well

• Including both boys and girls in more of the pictures