Hands Are Not for Hitting »

Martine Agassi, Ph.D., is an award-winning children’s book author and creator of Hands Are Not for Hitting, which inspired Free Spirit Publishing’s Best Behavior series. As a behavioral therapist, she has extensive experience with counseling children and families in schools, residential facilities, foster care, and private practice.

Marieka Heinlen received her BFA at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and also studied at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London. She launched her career as an award-winning children’s book illustrator with the original edition of Hands Are Not for Hitting and has illustrated other books in the Best Behavior series and Free Spirit’s Toddler Tools board book series. As a freelance illustrator and designer, Marieka focuses her work on books and other materials for children, teens, parents, and teachers. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with her husband and son.

This fresh edition of a Free Spirit classic presents charming new illustrations along with the familiar encouraging message of the original. Children learn that violence is never okay, that they can manage their anger and other strong feelings, and that they’re capable of positive, loving actions—like playing, making music, learning, counting, helping, taking care, and much more. Includes a special section for adults with activities and discussion starters.

Children's Literature

This book, along with others by this publisher, was produced to help parents, teachers and children of all ages deal with and prevent violence in their lives. It provides thirty pages of alternatives for using your hands in ways other than for hitting. Using colorful, multicultural, cartoon-like drawings and minimal text, the book proceeds through a litany of activities for using your hands, such as drawing, making finger puppets, blowing bubbles and building. Negative feelings that often lead to hitting, as well as how it feels to be hit are validated, and alternatives are encouraged. Several pages of advice for parents are offered, along with activities to further understanding. The book includes resources for more information about violence and its alternatives, and a hotline number for suspected abuse. The book is a bit long for preschoolers, and the language is a bit basic for primary-age children, but is ideal for sharing between parent and child. 2000, Free Spirit, $10.95. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: Meredith Kiger