A Picture Book a Day for a Year: Day 133

Picture Book: Here are My Hands

Author: Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault

Illustrator: Ted Rand

Summary: This is a simple book, perfect for preschoolers, that invites the listeners to celebrate in verse what various parts of their bodies can do. “Here are my hands for catching and throwing. Here are my feet for stomping and going.” Head, nose, eyes, ears, knees, neck, cheeks, teeth, elbow, arm, chin, and skin are all listed similarly. The illustrations are fun and are comprised of children of varying races which is somewhat unusual for a text published this long ago.  

Hanna’s Comments: The title implies an emphasis on hands, but this book gives equal importance to many body parts. I expect a great teacher could create a song or body prayer with this text. Ask what other “jobs” each body part can do. If you have children with limitations, this book might help you discuss how other body parts or people (even animals) can serve as substitutes for body parts that are impaired. Be sure to celebrate God’s creative design for our bodies.

Publisher & Date of Publication: Henry Holt and Company, 1985

Age & Grade Appropriateness:  3 and up, Pre and up

# of Pages: 28

Available in Spanish? Not at present

Formats other than Book: None at present

PBT Category: Pre 2K

PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abilities, action, adaptation/assimilation, body of Christ, differences, disabilities/handicaps/limitation, purpose, variety

Scripture Connections: Parts of the body (1 Corinthians 12)

Idea(s) for Application: Use this book when teaching preschoolers about the various parts their bodies and how God created those parts to do different jobs just as God creates us to do different jobs.