The Little Kid with the Big Green Hand

A feel-good read reaffirming the power of empathy.

In this playful graphic novel by actor Gubler (Rumple Buttercup), a girl struggles to accept her physical attributes and learns important lessons about self-perception. Lenore has a secret: she was born with a big, green hand. She keeps it hidden from her classmates by covering it with a handmade scarf from her aunt Nancy, which she even wears during the summer. Lenore is comfortable in her routine until her family moves to Michigan, where she dreads having to attend a new school filled with strangers who will ask questions about her scarf-covered hand. But while wrapping up her appendage on her first day of school, she discovers that her biggest secret has one of its own: the big green hand she's felt burdened by for her entire life can talk. Spindly, simple b&w line art accompanied by equally fluid handwritten text evokes whimsy and youthfulness, while diffused spot colors in greens and pinks emphasize Lenore's unusual world. Straightforward prose delivers a heartfelt ode to finding beauty in different perspectives, fostering connection in shared experiences, and approaching others with empathy and kindness. Ages 6-up. (Sept.)

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Gubler's quirky, goofy, and easily palatable tale; it offers an evergreen message that is a staple of children's literature. A feel-good read reaffirming the power of empathy. — Kirkus Reviews