Hand Rhymes

Finger Rhymes

by Marc Brown

A collection of nursery rhymes with diagrams for accompanying finger plays.

Contents: My Book -- Five Little Babies -- Two Little Monkeys -- Jack-o'-Lantern -- Five Little Goblins -- Here Is the Beehive -- Snowflakes -- The Snowman -- Little Bunny -- Quack! Quack! Quack! -- Kittens -- Creeping -- The Caterpillar -- The Church

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Childrens, Nursery Rhymes

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1985

About the author

Marc Tolon Brown is perhaps best known for his series of children's books about Arthur the aardvark, which was turned into an animated television show on PBS. Brown is a three-time Emmy Award winner, for his role on the television show inspired by his books.

He lives on Martha's Vineyard and in New York City with his wife, Laurie Krasny Brown. He has three children, sons Tolon and Tucker, and daughter Eliza. The names of his two sons have been hidden in all of the Arthur books except for one: Arthur's Tooth.

Reviews

[Nicole Doerr]

This is a wonderful book from Marc Brown. Hand Rhymes" is a book of poems. They are geared toward preschoolers. It has a collection for fourteen different finger-play rhymes.It includes ones about animals, weather, holidays, and items, such as books or churches. Bright and beautiful paintings cover the pages. Next to the words are picture icons of how to follow along with your hands. Marc Brown included older and newer rhymes in this book, and even put a little spin on some of them. This book is a great resource for teaching children to follow directions. The pictures are very entertaining. Teachers could present one rhyme at a time or the whole book at once.

[Rosa Hoffman]

AWARDS THIS BOOK HAS RECEIVED: None
APPROPRIATE GRADE LEVEL: Pre-school-1st grade
SUMMARY: In this book we find a collection of nursery rhymes with little diagrams on each line to visually show the finger/body movement associated with the rhyme. We can find an old favorites like 2 little monkeys and some new favorite like five little goblins. Easy to follow instructions and rhythms to keep the children engaged are included. As you turn the page the next one comes along and takes up the entire panel to visually entice reader.
REVIEW: This book provides simple instructions and diagrams to follow. The illustrations are colorful and simple, which help with concept skills (size, color, shapes). The finger movements will help with motor skills and keep it fun.
POSSIBLE USES IN THE CLASSROOM: This book is a gem, it can be used over and over on a myriad if themes: songs, animals, holidays, weather and even buildings.

[Delaney Andrews]

Genre: poetry
Grade range: K-1
This book is so much fun. Not only are the rhymes and rhythm catchy, but the hand motions and illustrations are intriguing. This book is unique because there are actions for the students to perform as they follow along. Each line of poetry has a matching hand motion. This would be a great way to help students learn the poems because of the matching hand motions, and a great way to help them become more familiar with poetry because of the easy-to-follow rhythm and rhymes.

[Joan]

“Hand Rhymes” is a collection of fourteen nursery rhymes with accompanying finger plays, each designed for little hands to execute. These preschool nursery rhymes, many of which will be familiar, provide youngsters with an opportunity to explore poetry and rhyme as they enjoy a shared experience with their parents. Charming illustrations accompany each rhyme, creating a delightful book parents and children will want to experience again and again.

Highly recommended.

[Marilyn]

Great rhymes

[Sam]

it is really interactive which is cool. idk how to feel about the black babies having lipstick (??????)

[Kelly Chester]

Such a cute book

[Margaret Chind]

Not crazy about the motions paired with the rhymes. Some rhymes from my childhood, but many new to me. The images for motions were rough, the illustrations in the book are adorable. Library book.

[Anthony]

A collection of fourteen hand games to be shared and played to help little hands and fingers wiggle, stretch, point, pound and dance actively along with the rhymes.

[Samantha]

A collection of fingerplays assembled by the author of the Arthur series. Brown selected these rhymes from over 350 poems he sorted through as he was preparing to write this book. He then assigned hand movements to each line and illustrated each page with inspiration from some of the many homes he's lived in during his lifetime.

Subjects range from seasons/holidays to books and animals. Some are familiar to me, but most of the poems collected here are new to me.

An excellent resource for anyone who works with small children.

[Melissa Sommer]

This book had many different old and recent rhymes. I loved how creative the pictures were and how most of the pictures covered the whole page. The children will enjoy this book because they should remember some of the rhymes. However, some of the rhymes get switched up a bit and I think that keeps there attention.

[Codie Gates]

Another great book from Marc Brown. This book had many different old and more recent rhymes. I loved how creative the pictures were and how most of the pictures covered the whole page. The children will enjoy this book because they should remember some of the rhymes. However, some of the rhymes get switched up a bit and I think that keeps their attention.

[Jayna]

This is a collection of fingerplays. There are a few for several different seasons. It does have Halloween and a church one but other than that there are a few good ones you could use in the classroom.

[Miss Erica]

GR Level: J

Elementary: E BRO

Great book to learn hand rhymes- little rhymes that have actions to them, such as Here is the Church or Five Little Ducks or Five Little Monkeys. All early childhood kids dig these!

[Erica]

Great book to learn hand rhymes- little rhymes that have actions to them, such as Here is the Church or Five Little Ducks or Five Little Monkeys. All early childhood kids dig these!

[Cheryl]

What a fun book! The lovely pictures, the cute poems, the little examples of finger play, all combine to make the poem a wonderful experience far beyond the written word. Wish I had this one when the kids were little.

[Jschofi4]

These rhymes weren't as useful to me for story times as I was hoping, but the small pictures describing the motions could be useful to parents looking to introduce some of these rhymes. The rhymes weren't as fresh or engaging as I was hoping... maybe a little too old school?

[Michelle]

My little kids 5 and under absolutely love this book! It also has sign language off to the side. They will ask you to read it to them over and over again!

[Tina]

Published: 1980
Genre/Forms: Poetry
Theme: Rhyming
Summary: Various rhyming poems that have hand/finger motions to enact them.
Strategies: Clarifying - have them think of their own movements

[L Campagnola]

It's hard to learn the hand actions while holding the book.

[Connie]

This is a book of various hand rhymes. The finger motions are clearly illustrated.

[Jessica]

Great use of signs listed on for words on each page.

[Buxmont Uu]

CMMW 2

[Derrick]

Fun book. The signs make memorizing easier.

[Elizabeth]

Some rhymes are easier than others. Some I have never heard so I don't know the tune.

[Little Champs]

2337

[Jordan Ramsey]

This book includes many different poems with hand symbols to go along with the poems.
I like this book because it gives you something to do while reading to help keep you interested the whole time.
I would use this in the class to teach poetry to the students. I think this would be a fun book for the kids because they get to move while they are reading, and I think that would help them remember the poetry and keep focused through the whole poem.