Magical Hands - Hardcover

Barker, Marjorie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0887081037 ISBN 13: 9780887081033

Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 1989

Synopsis

William secretly does the morning chores for each of his three good friends on their birthdays, and when his own birthday comes he finds himself rewarded

About this title

From School Library Journal:

PreSchool-Grade 3-- When his friends wish that someone would relieve them of their daily tasks on their birthdays so they can celebrate, William the cooper merely smiles. But as each birthday comes, he gets up early and secretly completes each friend's chores. Whether arranging fruit, washing windows, or kneading bread, William uses his magical hands to help. On his own birthday, he arrives in his shop to discover that his wood has been sawed, sorted, and stacked. The book's slow pace and subtle humor limit its appeal. Yoshi's illustrations are shadowy, and the scenes of the four peasants around a cafe table having coffee are reminiscent of some of Van Gogh's early works. The dark hues of the illustrations, juxtaposed with the beige background of the text, create a somber atmosphere that does little to express the joy William experiences in his friendships. The smiles on the men's faces seem at odds with the brooding atmosphere. For small group or individuals sharing, the book may hold interest, but the friendships here will never rival such classic picture-book relationships as "Frog and Toad" (Harper) or "George and Martha" (Houghton). --Kathy Piehl, Mankato State University, MN
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Publication date: 1989
• ISBN 10: 0887081037
• ISBN 13: 9780887081033
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 26
• Illustrator: Yoshi