Hot Hands and the Weirdo Winter by Derrick Brown
Review by Chris Singer
About the author:
Derrick Brown – former paratrooper for the 82nd Airborne, gondolier, magician, and fired weatherman – has performed at over 1350 venues and universities internationally, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, La Sorbonne in Paris and CBGB’s in NYC. As president/captain of Write Bloody Publishing, he is dedicated to bringing American poetry into rock and roll status. He has performed with The Cold War Kids, the White Stripes and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. His work has been featured in books with Jeff Tweedy of Wilco and Billy Collins.
About the book:
It's the first day of school and Ralph is the new kid. He does not have any friends to eat lunch with until he meets the weird and wonderful Margo, or "Hot Hands.” Margo is a strange girl with hands made out of fire. These two shy classmates help each other overcome their fears. Ralph wants a new friend. Margo wants something else: Will she ever be able to hug anyone without hurting them? Will she ever be able to make a snow man without melting it? Will she ever feel normal? Is normal all that great? Read this amazing book to find out. Discover with Ralph and Hot Hands what being a true friend is all about.
My take on the book:
Another wonderful book from Derrick Brown (I reviewed Valentine The Porcupine Dances Funny last week). Don't be put off by the weird title. It really is a delightful book and very original.
The book is listed as being for 8-12 year olds but I think it also can work for younger children 4-8. I especially would like to see this book read with younger children to help show them at their young age what true friendship is really about. The boy in this story is very empathetic and a great model for other boys reading the book.
While the story is one you won't get tired of reading, the illustrations by Matthew Carver are also simply amazing. I was really quite blown away and my young daughter really got into the illustrations. She was a little young (just under 2 1/2) for the story itself as I think the fire hands really kind of perplexed her. But she loved the pictures and the ending with the very clever 'weirdo winter.'
All in all, another impressive effort from Derrick Brown and the people at Write Fuzzy Publishing. I'm looking forward to checking out more of their unique titles for young readers.
