Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb (Bright & Early Books)

Upon reading this book I was trying to figure out why this book was banned. It was a story of monkeys. They showed off their fingers, they played the drums and other instruments, and talked with friends. Why was this book banned? Apparently, someone thought that this book was associating African culture with monkeys. I don’t see this because the moneys do more than play drums, they also play banjos and fiddles. I don’t think African culture when I think banjos and fiddles. I think deep south and dueling banjos, and the Hatfields and McCoys comes more to mind. So, I do not see the connection of this story to African culture and do not feel it’s racist. HOWEVER, anyone who does feel that, has valid feelings, and I will not denigrate show more that. If someone feels that way, then yes, this is a problematic book. But should this book be banned… No. show less

This is worthy and spirited, although its manic energy and island rhythms would have been better served if it came with, like, a set of bongo drums (ditty drums ditty drums drums drums). But one makes do, of course, especially if one is a one-year-old one with a fine set of hands hands fingers thumbs for bashing and a throat for monkey calls.

I can not tell you how many times my poor parents were forced to read this book to me. All I know was that I never, ever tired of it. The illustrations are fabulous, with bright, vivid colors and great 60s-era cartoons. The text is what captivated me, I think - the rhythms of the words are like a hypnotic song "one thumb, one thumb, drumming on a drum....dum-ditty, dum-ditty, dum dum dum." I can practically recite it from memory 30 years after I stopped demanding nightly readings (although, in a nostalgic moment, I did ask my parents to read it to me on my latest visit, and we still enjoyed it). It is simple - this is not Dickens' prose, and the people to whom I've recommended it often look skeptical, but this book worked its magic on show more me as no other did. Even after I started reading more advanced books, I kept returning to this one for the rhythms. One thing to note is that the original book is very hard to find in stores. When I've found this book on the shelves, it has usually been an abridged version.

I still love it. show less

I really like this book for multiple reasons. First, I like the language the author used. The author used patterned language like, “Monkeys drum….and monkeys hum” that engages the reader to the story. Second, I like how the text and story creates music. While I read, “One hand two hands drumming on a drum. Dum ditty dum ditty dum dum dum”, I could hear the beat in my head. The language is also patterned because the beat, “dum ditty dum ditty dum dum dum” is repeated multiple times throughout the book. The more the text shows this, the more the reader can really feel the beat, which is the purpose of repeating it. Third, I like how the text also shows different kinds of instruments and the sounds they make. For example, it show more says, “Hands play banjos strum strum strum” and “Hands play fiddles zum zum zum.” The reader can infer what kind of noise these instruments make by reading the text and creating a beat to go along with it. The main idea of this book is to show its readers what they can do with their hands, fingers, thumbs such as picking apples and plums, and playing drums. show less

This book is full of fingers, hands, drums, and monkeys. First, just a few monkeys playing drums, then crowds of monkeys, and then millions of monkeys in a riotous drumming celebration! There are big monkeys, small monkeys, monkeys with banjos, and monkeys with fiddles.

Much like Go, Dog, Go!, this beginner reader is more concerned with repetition of words than it is with plot. Although it’s meant to be a book for early readers to read on their own, it’s fun to read to younger kids as well. Kids will love the repeated chorus, “Dum ditty / Dum ditty / Dum dum dum.” If you’re reading it with babies or toddlers, drum the Dum Ditty’s on their tummy, and point to or shake their thumbs, fingers, hands, and feet when mentioned in show more the text.

In addition to rollicking rhyming text, the monkeys featured in the illustrations express the sheer joy of playing the drums with friends. The monkeys pop out against squares and rectangles of color. These aren’t monkeys confined to cages in the zoo; these monkeys frolic, scamper, and be-bop through their day!

Full Review at Picture-Book-a-Day: http://picturebookaday.blogspot.com/2012/03/book-75-hand-hand-fingers-thumb-by-a... show less

It starts with one monkey, a drum, and a thumb. Then the fun begins with banging the drum with both hands. But it does not stop. A few more friends are joining with drums, and it becomes better. But then a lot more of the clan join with more exciting instruments, and the drums sound even better.
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We picked this book for its Suess-styled illustrations. The book can be a super fun song in a classroom while learning some tongue-twisting phrases. In addition, the pictures are bright and exciting for young readers.
Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb by Al Perkins is a fun read-aloud rhyme that will make children dance and roll.

Too, too, catchy. Lots of fun to read and easy to memorize for little ones. And, hits that rare spot of the book that is okay gor grown-ups to read over and over, and over, again. Highly recommended.