The Hand Book

by Magda Garguláková, Vítězslav Mecner (Illustrator)

Handy hands. What a unique tool! Explore the hand from a range of expected and unexpected aspects. Did you know that sign language varies from country to country? Have you ever wondered why some of us are left-handed while others are right-handed? Can you imagine how the hand of a sculptor differs from that of a pianist or a bricklayer? Sure you can't applaud with one hand, but there are still many things you can manage with just one hand. Find out in this book with original design and tactile cover.

Genres: Science

80 pages, Hardcover

Published November 8, 2022

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Readers who don't appreciate the wonders of the human body will want to keep this informational book handy--pun intended. Covering quite a lot of territory related to the hand, including what hands can do, their uniqueness--no two hands are alike--how they show someone's age, how hands have been used for measurement, and even how left-handed individuals have been demonized over the centuries, the book is quite browsable, allowing readers to dip in and out of it at will. There are even pages describing hand decorations and how hands have been depicted in classic works of art, prosthetic devices, and yes, tips on hygiene and the proper way to wash one's hands. This information will be valuable during the next pandemic. The text is broken up with colorful artwork, and part of the background is provided through comic strips. Some of the tidbits [features of "Famous Hands" and "Hands by Profession," for instance] seem a bit random and possibly intended as filler since their usefulness in adding to readers' appreciation of the topic wasn't clear. Still, reading so much about hands will give youngsters a fresh perspective of this important body part that is often taken for granted and how important hands are in every day activities.

[Jaime Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated book with some fascinating facts about hands. Did you know Keanu Reeves is ambidextrous?

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

A last, a handbook for the young on just that – hands. But this felt woolly, and is very awkwardly presented at times. A heck of a lot is covered, from traditional measurements made with the hand (and the rest of our upper limbs), to sign language, to facts about nail parlours. But for every decent page you get a pointless list – two pages of jobs that involve hands, for example. On the whole the reading order is more or less OK to be worked out, but the font comes in three or more sizes and degrees of boldness, and then can go all-out and turn into a comic strip. It’s very inconsistent, all told. And in starting with a patent lie, that we all have two hands (rather discriminatory against those who have fewer), it didn’t exactly set out its stall very well. Two and a half stars, then – not really a full thumbs-up.

[BiblioBrandie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book and learned so much about the hand from a range of expected and unexpected aspects. The illustrations and large format were great.

[Simone Von · Rating 5 out of 5]

How many things do you do with your hands? You’ll never think of them the same after reading this book. Includes info about prosthetic hands as well. From the Czech Republic.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A picture-book for slightly older kids. Learn all about our important, useful, helpful hands!

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Krásna a vtipná, detská kniha aj pre dospeláka!