Very often – perhaps too often – a story comes along showing two people looking at the stars or the moon, and across the miles realising they're connected by the chance to look up and see the same thing. For those who lack this chance, the idea in this book. It concerns a large, vivid hand, painted on a routine inner city block exterior. But people – of all ethnicity – have taken to pressing their hand against it for the succour it might bring, the imaginary connection to someone else pressing their hand from the other side. Siblings having moved out are sought, refugees remember their families left behind, and so on – whatever the status of hand-owner, it's the common human habit to seek those they miss, and the hand offers some kind of link to them. A gorgeous sentiment, no? The specific reason for that lack of connection – the reason why people aren't free to gaze up at the stars that inspired this book – is both a surprising source for it, and yet not relevant here, it's the recognition for all that their kin are somewhere there for them, and seeing that on the page could mean a world of good. It could also lead to lots of painted hands on apartment blocks… A strong four stars – the artist knows what she's about and her short text has more than enough thoughtful impact.

This is a great idea I loved the heart of the wall it was like reaching out and touching someone that not there. The art and illustration is beautifully done.

Place Hand Here is a beautiful way for kids who are missing parents, grandparents, or other loved ones to connect in a heartfelt way. The idea of this mural on the wall is heartfelt and lovely. Although this book was inspired by incarcerated women needing to connect to their kids on the outside, this is meant for all of us. Who doesn't have family, friends or loved ones lost or far away? Beautifully written, colorfully illustrated. Fantastic book for kids!

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this advanced review copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review on the book!

I found this story very hopeful and touching.I liked the diversity in the book and how colorful it was.

Placing ones hand on the one painted on the outside wall of a building is a way to feel a connection with someone who is away but important to you. That other could be family in another land, someone who is in hospital, someone away at school, or even someone incarcerated. Maintaining that connection is what is important, and Katie Yamasaki is both author and illustrator of this comforting book. She is a muralist, so her color choices and depictions are remarkable and moving.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from W. W. Norton & Company, Norton Young Readers via NetGalley. Thank you!

This was a Cute concept, but it didn’t really have great flow. I don’t think it will hold the attention of many kids. I do wish the author the best of luck.

I received an electronic ARC from W. W. Norton & Company through NetGalley.
Powerful and tender story told by a young boy who watches others place their hand on a drawn hand on a building. Each shares why they touch the hand and who they feel connected with when they do. The artwork shows those being thought about and remembered as each person shares. By the end, readers learn who painted the hand and why. The young boy also reveals who he thinks of when he touches the hand. He lives with his grandmother as his mom is incarcerated.
A much needed story for the many children who cope with an incarcerated parent. Yamasaki emphasize the bond that holds even though they are not together. Her author's note explains her reasoning for writing this book.

This book will find its following in the theme of interconnectedness; the shared humanity of life. The story covers different ages, cultures, genders, and experiences, yet explores deeply the idea that we are all together in this world. The images are beautiful with lots of colors to carry the story thread through vibrantly, making the whole book come alive.

You don't really see books involving a mom incarcerated and a child missing them....but that changes with Place Hand Here. It's a homage to heart and all the people we are separated from (not just those in jail) but those due to jobs, death, etc.

It could bring more depth but it is a good start.

A sweet story with beautiful illustrations. One for story hour and talking about who are our hands.

I received a ARC of this book from NetGalley. I love this book! I want a hand in a heart on the wall of my library. It's a great idea, because we truly have no idea why people connect to art, and the lead character in this book investigates the people in his neighborhood and their experiences connecting to the neighborhood fixture. I think this is a great book to encourage empathy and understanding in young children. I look forward to recommending this book to people at my library.

Place Hand Here is a delightful picture books which demonstrates how art can connect humanity. On a apartment building wall, someone has painted a hand. Passersby come by and place their hands on it and think about someone they love who they are separated from, and remember. The illustrations are bright and vibrant, as children thinks of their father working far from them, or an immigrant remembering family far away. Each little moment is poignant and sweet. In the end, we discover the narrator painted the hand for his mother who is incarcerated. While it reminds me a bit of the Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn, this story deals with separations that may beyond the loved one’s control (i.e. employment, death, incarceration), and a reunion may not take place for some time, if at all. The language is simple to understand and a young one may even be inspired to make their own “hand” to place and connect with. For further emotional heft, the author note explains that Yamasaki has brought art programs to correctional facilities and that the story was inspired by an inmate who traced her hand and asked Yamasaki to give it to her son to place his hand on when he missed her. A lovely book and great bibliotherapy resource. I was given an e-advance copy in return for an honest review.

This touching book is about a boy missing his mom while she is incarcerated. He touches a certain spot to remember her and others start doing the same, but for their own reasons. It’s a sweet story of remembering and reflecting.

In this beautifully illustrated picture book, a boy and other people in his neighborhood often place their hands on the hand shape in a mural, imagining that the loved ones they've lost or are separated from are on the other side. The boy talks with his neighbors about who they're thinking of when they interact with the mural, and the many varied answers help him grow in compassion and feel connected with his community as he processes his own grief.

Although the story never explicitly states what happened to the boy's mother, the dust jacket and the author's note say that she is incarcerated. You see an illustration of her in some kind of uniform at the end, but it's not detailed enough to obviously signal where she is or what happened. Many kids will need parental guidance to help them understand.

This book is best for school-age kids who can relate to the metaphorical content and abstract themes, although some younger kids will enjoy this as well. The art is vibrant and engaging, and this is great for people who are looking for picture books about different forms of grief, and books with a strong community focus.

A quick, simple story that can be very comforting to children dealing with difficult family situations. It could encourage children to take action and in doing so would help comfort them.

Place Hand Here is a book that has a beautiful premise, which I am not sure it was able to entirely do justice to. At least, I was left wanting a bit more. But to be fair, this book has as much to do with art as it does literature, and it delivers well on the first of the two.

A young boy watches as a variety of people - some of whom he knows, and others whom he gets to know - stop to place their hand on the painting of a hand that sits the wall of a building.

As his investigations yield different explanations from people as to what the art means to them, the universality of longing, and the value of community, become clearer to him. And as he waits to be reunited with his incarcerated mother, the boy too uses the art as a touchstone for their relationship.

The story is simple, but moving. I would just have liked a few more details on each person's life experience. But that's probably because my preference is for words rather than art as the medium of storytelling. I loved the author's back story as to how she came to write this.

This book does carry an important message about human emotions and how people can help each other get through lifestyles and tribulations through empathy and understanding, and is well worth reading and sharing for that reason.