  | Place hand here Author: Yamasaki, Katie | |
| Price: $23.26 | ||
Summary:
A young boy passes a painting of a hand on a wall in his neighborhood and watches others placing their own hands against it. The act means something different for each of them: Ms. Iris tells him it is a link to her home country; for Devin, it connects him to his older sister, who just left for college; for Savannah, it reminds her of her grandmother who passed away.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (08/15/23)
School Library Journal (+) (10/01/23)
Booklist (10/15/23)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 10/01/2023 K-Gr 2—A yellow hand painted within a green heart on a building wall becomes a touchstone to its diverse community, a spot where you place your hand to feel close to those you miss. It takes Ms. Iris back to her sister's kitchen in her old country. It reminds Devin of his sister who left for college. It makes Amit feel closer to his family who lives on the other side of the sea. Savannah puts her hand on the wall and thinks about her abuela and the jigsaw puzzle they never got to finish. Everyone has someone that they miss, including the unnamed protagonist. In a gentle twist at the end, readers learn why. "A long time ago, I opened the mailbox and found a letter from my mom. When you feel lonely, place your hand here, the letter said. And I did." The text is clear, matter of fact, and reads well aloud. Yamasaki's signature style shines in these illustrations. Using bold colors, a rainbow motif, and a variety of techniques, she clearly depicts reality, plus the longing and love of her characters, with a variety of skin tones and ethnicities, for what or who is missing. Their emotions are deftly shown but aren't overwhelming. The end contains an author's note for adults on incarcerated mothers, the book's inspiration, which expands the reach and meaning of the text. Includes related websites. VERDICT A sweet and relatable story of feeling lonely, missing loved ones, and community; an excellent purchase for libraries.—Catherine Callegari - Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 10/15/2023 A hand-painted image on an apartment building wall is a community touchstone for healing saddened hearts. With clear poetic economy, a young boy explains how the bright yellow handprint inside a green heart “is always there. And it is magic. That hand is a bridge.” As neighborhood residents of all ages press their hands to the wall, memories and reflections take center stage and soar. Ms. Iris remembers cooking with her sister in their home country and “smells that remind me of silk thread and red envelopes”; Devin misses his older sister who moved away for college; and Savannah grieves the loss of her abuela. In accomplished muralist Yamasaki’s detailed mixed-media illustrations, transformations and interconnections abound. Subtle details in text and artwork reveal the narrator is waiting for his incarcerated mother to come home. An author’s note details Yamasaki’s art workshop experiences in Mexico working with mothers and children impacted by incarceration. This touching picture book offers a heartening message about the everlasting connections with loved ones. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.
