Hands as Warm as Toast
by Lisa Himle; Illustrations by Bruce Langton
Published by Ann Arbor Media Group
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Reviewed by Andrea Sisco
Although it was decades ago, I still remember my first day of kindergarten. I entered the school, with my mother, excited and oh so, scared. After reading this book, I wish I'd had had Miss Darling for my kindergarten teacher.
It's Libby's first day of kindergarten and she's scared. Her mother does what she can to reassure her, but it's not working. Libby would like nothing better than to run right out of the school. But before she can run, her teacher, Miss Darling greets Libby and asks if she would warm her cold hands because Libby's hands are warm as toast. Each day Libby warms Miss Darling's hands for her. But as the school year progresses, she notices that her teacher's hands don't take as much time to warm up anymore.
When Libby starts first grade, she meets a kindergarten student who needs the same reassurance Libby did when she started school. And Libby is just the girl to help the young child. She offers her hand to another little girl who has hands as warm as toast.
Starting school can be a daunting task for young children and they can all use a warm hand to help them along. Every child who begins school should have Hands as Warm as Toast to read and a teacher as loving, caring and understanding as Miss Darling. It would make school a safer and friendlier place.
Armchair Interviews says: Hands as Warm as Toast will warm your heart and help your child's school experience.