Hands : growing up to be an artist

Rating:
Summary: Children's Literature Review
Review: Ehlert, Lois. (2004). Hands: Growing up to be an artist. San Diego, CA: Harcourt, Inc.

This story by Lois Ehlert is a short explanation of a child looking after her role models: her mother and father. In this case, the small child is Lois Ehlert herself who wanted to grow up to be an artist, starting this wish at a very early age. Each page is a simple statement about something that her father or mother does relating to art. It is then followed by a sentence telling how she works to be like them. The story progresses and explains how, as Lois grows, so does her ability to be creative and to help her mother and father out on various projects. Whether that is in her father's shop, at her mother's craft table, or in the garden, she was always willing to practice as she grows artistically.
In this very appealing piece of literature, Ehlert creates an aesthetically appealing book. Every page in this small book is a different length, shape, and color. On each one is a different tool, scrap, or art-related item that relates to the text. With the use of different shapes and vibrant colors, Ehlert shares her artistic talents with the reader. This book would be appropriate for a preschooler or primary grade children. They would find it extremely intriguing because each page is a new discovery. It is an easy read, but one that keeps the reader interested because of the variety found with each turn of the page.

Rating:
Summary: calling all artist
Review: The book is told from the point of view of a little child. The child enjoys making things with her hands. Her parents encourage her in many ways. They let her paint, sew, build with wood, garden and lots more. With her parents support she dreams of becoming an artist when she grows up!




The book is really neat to look at. It has many foldable die cut pages that you can lift to learn more as you read.



I would definitely recommend this book to anyone of any age. It is great encouragement for budding artist