Introduction
Hands Can written by Cheryl Willis Hudson and photographs taken by John-Francis Bourke is a rhyming children’s book that teaches children to learn with a hands-on approach. This book uses bright and colorful photos of children using their own hands to do many different things from waving “to say hello” to touching “things high and low”. Every page is a different color with a different child in each photo showing the reader that hands can say “I love you” as well as “tie a shoe”.
Curriculum Connection
This book should be introduced at the kindergarten level when helping children understand their five senses and also when introducing the physical properties of an object. Teachers could introduce this book when discussing SOL’s K.2 and K.4. This book is an excellent source for children to look at things that they can differentiate between textures using their senses.
Additional Resources
- Clapping Games – This website introduces teachers to a number of different songs that can be sang while the children learn to clap to the rhythm.
- Healthy Hands – An effective website for teachers that want to teach their children how to wash their hands effectively.
- Hands On – A website generated that helps teachers come up with different ideas on how to teach science which allows kids to be hands on.
Book: Hands Can
Author: Cheryl Willis Hudson
Illustrator/Photographer: John-Francis Bourke
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Date: 2003
Pages: 26
Grade Range: K-1
ISBN: 0-7636-1667-2