Hands Are Not for Hitting

Why It's On Our Shelf

Instead of just saying 'don't hit,' this book redirects by showing all the useful, positive things hands can do. It acknowledges that kids get angry and frustrated, which is smart, but then gives them alternatives to hitting. The illustrations by Marieka Heinlen show diverse children using their hands in constructive ways. What I appreciate is that it treats hitting as a behavior to change rather than making the child feel like they're bad. It's part of a series (Feet Are Not for Kicking, etc.) that takes the same approach to different behaviors. The conversational tone makes it feel like a discussion rather than a lecture.