Hands Are Not for Hitting (Best Behavior) [Paperback]

Martine Agassi Ph.D. (Author), Marieka Heinlen (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Best Behavior

This fresh edition of a Free Spirit classic presents charming new illustrations along with the familiar encouraging message of the original. Children learn that violence is never okay, that they can manage their anger and other strong feelings, and that they’re capable of positive, loving actions—like playing, making music, learning, counting, helping, taking care, and much more. Includes a special section for adults with activities and discussion starters.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-This title offers youngsters an alternative to hitting and other forms of hurtful behavior, guiding them to a more peaceful and positive outcome in their dealings with other children. The refrain that "hands are not for hitting" is accompanied by numerous better uses for them, such as waving, helping, drawing, and making music. While the text is didactic and too redundant to be read aloud cover to cover, the book provides an important point of departure for discussing constructive ways of coping with and resolving strong feelings such as anger, jealousy, and fear. Friendly, colorful illustrations portray children engaged in various positive activities. An extensive list of supportive ideas for grown-ups interested in promoting nonviolence is included.-Teri Markson, Stephen S. Wise Temple Elementary School, Los Angeles

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Review

“The simple but important message…helps children understand that they have the power to choose not to hurt people.” —Teaching Tolerance

“Imagine raising your kids without the help of Goodnight Moon or Is Your Mama a Llama? or Hands Are Not for Hitting.”—Jennifer Garner, actress, Save the Children ambassador

 “Offers youngsters an alternative to hitting and other forms of hurtful behavior, guiding them to a more peaceful and positive outcome in their dealings with other children.”—School Library Journal

 “Highly recommended...ideal ‘read aloud’ book for parents and care givers.”—Midwest Book Review

 “This is a great book to have in your personal collection whether you are a parent, teacher, or caregiver, and an excellent resource to refer to whenever your children or students need a reminder about calm and peaceful hands.”—Chasing Supermom blog

 

Parent Council®  Selection

Parents' Choice Approved

Midwest Independent Publisher Award

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Free Spirit Publishing; Revised and Updated, For Ages 4-7, Paperback edition (March 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1575423081
• ISBN-13: 978-1575423081
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,216 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #26 in Books > Children's Books > Education & Reference > School & Education
  • #40 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Manners
  • #62 in Books > Children's Books > Social Situations > Values

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book!, March 22, 2002

By 

M. Michener "mmichener1" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hands Are Not for Hitting (Ages 4-7) (Best Behavior Series) (Paperback)

I bought this book, and "The Way I Feel" in response to my almost 2 year old going through a hitting phase. I could not be more pleased with how this book (and the other) addresses the issue and proposes solutions for dealing with anger and frustration. My son LOVES acting out the things that hands can be used for. He sits through the whole book and often wants to read it again. He quotes catchy phrases that he remembers from the book. It is so interactive! I really think that it has made a difference in my son's behavior over the period of 3 weeks.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An ideal "read aloud" book for parents and care givers., September 19, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hands Are Not for Hitting (Ages 4-7) (Best Behavior Series) (Paperback)

Hands Are Not For Hitting is a gentle, encouraging book for beginning readers that shows all the good things hands can do from playing, sharing, clapping, and counting, to helping, building, being kind, and staying safe. Kids will learn alternatives to hitting -- such as drawing pictures, jumping up and down, talking about feels, and simply walking away. Highly recommended, Hands Are Not For Hitting is an ideal "read aloud" book for parents and care givers, there is a special section devoted to ideas for things to talk about and activities grownups and kids can do together.

32 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a picture book to teach nonviolence, December 31, 2001

By 

christinemm - The Thinking Mother (Houston Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Hands Are Not for Hitting (Ages 4-7) (Best Behavior Series) (Paperback)

This book is in the category of picture books that gets read to children to teach a lesson (rather than being a simple story picture book). The title says it all but the back cover also gives a great summary (which you can view right here on Amazon). The pages are covered with ideas for what hands are to be used for (playing, working together) and then each page has numerous illustrating examples (building snowpeople, sandcastle, block tower, etc.). Over and over we hear that hands are not for hitting but they are for doing many positive things.

I am a homeschooling parent of a four-year-old who at times hits others. Our biggest problem though is bullying being done to him by others. I bought this to read to him as a reminder because for a while he was learning more from imitating his peers (hitting back) than listening to what his father and I were verbally teaching him. I figured having this book around the house could not hurt. My son likes to browse it himself and look at the pictures and I read it aloud from time to time. I don't read it a lot because since he rarely hits it is a little annoying to keep telling him something he already knows. However, this is published by a publisher focusing on books for teachers and schools. I think the best way this book could be used would be to read it aloud to groups of children because there is bound to be a child in attendance who may need a reminder. This would also be a great book for public libraries to have in their collection for parents to borrow.

The illustrations are cute and brightly colored. At the back of the book is a note to grown-ups about teaching non-violence to children. There are approximately 4 pages that list out additional activities and discussion questions to go along with each page of the book. There is also a listing of books that expand on various subjects touched on throughout this book. I can't think of any way that I'd improve upon it. Overall a great book on this important subject!