Publishers Weekly
★ 05/06/2024
Among the titles Milo reads one night, one is “about a monster under the bed. Milo should not have read that book.” Frightened, he uses a flashlight to signal Mel, his best friend who lives across the street. Through their facing windows, the two use ASL to communicate about Milo’s fears. Mel suggests that Milo use “monster hands”—vertically stacked palms facing each other, fingers curled—to create shadows that will “ROAR,” “CHOMP,” and “LAUGH” the monster away. Kane and debut author McMillan build suspense with each of the duo’s attempts to banish the monster, creating a lively collaboration that gives way to a tender gesture between the friends. MBD employs vibrant gradient hues to create looming shadows and dynamically highlight ASL signs, some portrayed in full. Milo has pale skin and brown hair; Mel is portrayed with brown skin and brown hair. Ages 3–7. (May)
From the Publisher
Praise for Monster Hands:
An Amazon Best Book of the Month—May 2024
★ "Kane and debut author McMillan build suspense with each of the duo’s attempts to banish the monster, creating a lively collaboration that gives way to a tender gesture between the friends. MBD employs vibrant gradient hues to create looming shadows and dynamically highlight ASL signs."—Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ "A thrilling tale of bravery, friendship, and the power of signing. Children will eagerly sign or shout along with the most exciting moments. MBD uses color, light, and perspective to create cute yet dramatic illustrations. This is an excellent read for any child fretting about things that go bump in the night, as well as an effortless celebration of ASL."—Kirkus, starred review
★ “Energetic and dramatic…Clever use of panels and framing make the children’s signing particularly viewer-friendly, and illustrator MBD depicts clearly and expressively ASL’s dynamism… Unlike so many stories that make an issue of the use of ASL, this one naturally and easily shows it as the language these children use—allowing the drama of the story to take center stage.”—The Horn Book, starred review
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2024-02-17
Two friends use American Sign Language to ward off a monster.
After reading a frightening story, Milo worries that there’s a monster under his bed. Luckily, Milo’s best friend Mel’s bedroom window faces his, and both children use ASL to communicate. Mel helps Milo use “monster hands”—fingers spread and bent into claws—to cast shadows on the wall that will scare away anything lurking beneath the bed. With Mel’s help, Milo learns to be a little bit braver, but not at the expense of his gentle nature. Many of the signs that the characters use in the dialogue are captured in the illustrations; readers who don’t already sign will come away knowing the ASL signs for roar, chomp, laugh, and hug, each of which is clearly depicted. Children will eagerly sign or shout along with the most exciting moments. MBD uses color, light, and perspective to create cute yet dramatic illustrations. The shadowy monsters that Milo imagines are a bit creepy but never too terrifying. This is an excellent read for any child fretting about things that go bump in the night, as well as an effortless celebration of ASL. Milo has straight brown hair and light skin, while Mel has straight black hair and brown skin.
A thrilling tale of bravery, friendship, and the power of signing. (Picture book. 3-7)
