Hands as Warm as Toast [Hardcover]

Lisa Himle (Author), Bruce Langton (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

A heart-warming story, told with kindness and emotion, featuring the passionate illustrations of Bruce Langston.

Libby is just plain scared to start kindergarten! Even though Mom tries to reassure her, she is wiping away tears as they walk down the long hall to her classroom. Before Libby can make a dash for home, Miss Darling enlists Libby's help to warm up her cold hands. Libby hangs on tightly but she notices that Miss Darling's hands get warmer quicker as her kindergarten year progresses. This story about those scary first days at school reminds us how good it feels to find a warm hand to hold when we take a big step on our own.

"Welcome Libby!" Miss Darling said. "I've been waiting for you! I have a special job just for you. I was hoping you could warm up my cold hands."

Libby slowly held out her hand.

"Why Libby, your hands are as warm as toast!" said Miss Darling.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Having worked in education for the past 22 years as both a teacher and administrator, Lisa Himle knows all about those first scary days at school. She has taught preschool, kindergarten, and first grade. She currently teaches second grade at Cornerstone Elementary School in Dexter, Michigan. Lisa married her high school sweetheart and lives in Ann Arbor with her daughters, Lauren and Jennifer. Hands as Warm as Toast is her first book.

Known internationally, Bruce Langton is considered one of the premier contemporary artists of his time. Along with many children's books, Bruce has illustrated well over 100 limited edition prints and etchings on the art market. His children's book credits include, H is for Hoosier: The Indiana Alphabet Book, Win One for the Gipper, and Once Upon a Christmas Eve. Today, Bruce resides in Indiana with his wife Rebecca and two sons, Brett and Rory.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Ann Arbor Editions; First edition. edition (July 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1587262983
• ISBN-13: 978-1587262982
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,325,200 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Warm your hearts as well as your hands..., September 17, 2008

By 

Colleen D. Gallagher "teachingheart net" (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Hands as Warm as Toast (Hardcover)

Hands as Warm as Toast is a heartwarming story that any kindergarten teacher, parent, or student can make a connection to. According to Ms. Himle this is a true, yet slightly embellished story about an event that happened when she was a Kindergarten teacher. The teacher is Ms. Himle's book is Miss Darling. Everyone knows a kindergarten teacher that seems to have a magic touch with young children. Miss Darling is one of those kindergarten teachers with that magic way of making children want to be at school. In fact, when Libby, the little girl in the story, does not want to leave the side of her mother to attend the first day of school Miss Darling appears with cold hands and a job for Libby. Miss Darling's magic touch and way with Libby make school a place Libby wants to be a part of. This is a great story for back to school. It would make a good gift for a favorite kindergarten teacher that touched your child's life. The illustrations beautifully match the text. The story held the attention of my very own kindergarten student. I enjoyed reading this book to my son and he found many parts in the story that reminded him of his first day of school. There are many opportunities to make a text to self connection. Lisa Himle has written a wonderful story that I am sure will touch the hearts of many students, teachers, and parents.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It will warm your heart and help your child's school experience, August 1, 2006

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hands as Warm as Toast (Hardcover)

Although it was decades ago, I still remember my first day of kindergarten. I entered the school, with my mother, excited and oh so, scared. After reading this book, I wish I'd had had Miss Darling for my kindergarten teacher.

It's Libby's first day of kindergarten and she's scared. Her mother does what she can to reassure her, but it's not working. Libby would like nothing better than to run right out of the school. But before she can run, her teacher, Miss Darling greets Libby and asks if she would warm her cold hands because Libby's hands are warm as toast. Each day Libby warms Miss Darling's hands for her. But as the school year progresses, she notices that her teacher's hands don't take as much time to warm up anymore.

When Libby starts first grade, she meets a kindergarten student who needs the same reassurance Libby did when she started school. And Libby is just the girl to help the young child. She offers her hand to another little girl who has hands as warm as toast.

Starting school can be a daunting task for young children and they can all use a warm hand to help them along. Every child who begins school should have Hands as Warm as Toast to read and a teacher as loving, caring and understanding as Miss Darling. It would make school a safer and friendlier place.

Armchair Interviews says: Hands as Warm as Toast will warm your heart and help your child's school experience.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding, October 7, 2006

By 

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

This review is from: Hands as Warm as Toast (Hardcover)

Written by Lisa Himle featuring illustrations by Bruce Langton, Hands As Warm As Toast is a 32-page picturebook about the anxieties that accompany a child's first day at school -- and how comforting it is to be able to find "a warm hand to hold" when children go to school for the very first time. Young readers, especially those having to deal with their own first day at school, will particularly appreciate and enjoy the story of Libby and her mother as the young girl prepares for school. Additionally, an outstanding (and free) activity guide is available for download to parents and teachers at the Mitten Press website.