NYT Book Review 2019 25 Best Children's Books In Hold Hands , beloved graphic novelist and children's book author Sara Varon offers a sweet rhyming story for toddlers about friendship and connection. Hold hands each time you cross the street. Hold hands on the bus if you don’t have a seat. Hold hands when you say goodbye. And also when you’re jumping high. Everybody holds hands. You can hold hands with your little brother or your best friend. You can hold hands with your classmate or even your favorite doll! Gather up your little ones, hold their hands, and share this heartwarming book. PreS-K—Graphic novelist Varon's (Robot Dreams, Sweater Weather) return to picture books (Chicken & Cat) is a comforting look at how holding hands is representative of the ways we connect with others to help us through our days. As the day starts, readers see a young bear holding hands with a younger sibling, an older sibling, and at times a stuffed animal as the bear offers support or receives the comfort or encouragement that she needs. As the day moves forward, the bear holds hands while going down a flight of stairs, commuting to preschool, on her way to a playdate, listening to a bedtime story, and in her dreams. Varon's distinct comic style of bold lines creates a world of diverse animal characters, and her comforting complementary muted color palette will appeal to child readers. Every pair of hands being held, whether in the background or forefront, is highlighted by a star, and the sun and moon are shown holding hands as they change places in the sky. Soothing rhymes makes this a great lap book that shows readers a myriad of ways that they can offer comfort and support to others and themselves. VERDICT This warmhearted book will hold up over many readings, and is a must purchase for libraries serving younger patrons.—Danielle Jones, Multnomah County Library, OR "Varon's singular visual style―bright, friendly, and completely zany―and her deft, economical writing style make this simple ode to holding hands burst with originality and charm." ― New York Times "In Varon’s world, even the sun and the moon hold hands. Seemingly effortless verse...makes this the kind of readaloud that could find a place among favorites." ―Publisher's Weekly " With gentle guidance, young readers will pick up on the broader message that hand-holding...embodies strong emotional connection, bonding, and inclusion. [This] concept is well-depicted in the colorful, cartoony illustrations of the smiling, bearlike protagonists and their fellow community members, who represent various animal species, colors, sizes, and shapes." ―Kirkus " This is sure to be a day-care winner, and even youngsters petulantly asserting their independence may be reminded that it’s really quite nice to hold somebody’s hand." ― The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books “Various animal (and other) characters, rendered in Varon’s singular offbeat style, show readers how hand-holding can provide comfort." ―Horn Book "This warmhearted book will hold up over many readings, and is a must purchase for ­libraries serving younger patrons." ― School Library Journal "Award-winning graphic novelist and picture-book artist Varon uses her trademark stylings and anthropomorphic animals to create a gorgeous and precious picture book about a simple but crucial element of learned childhood behavior." ―Booklist Sara Varon is a graphic novelist and children’s book author/illustrator living in Chicago. She is the author of Robot Dreams , which has been adapted into an Oscar-nominated animated feature film. Her other books include Odd Duck , Bake Sale , New Shoes , Hold Hands , My Pencil and Me , and the Detective Sweet Pea series. Her work has received many accolades―among others, Hold Hands was named a Best Children’s Book of 2019 by the New York Times ; Odd Duck was selected by Kirkus Reviews as one of the Best Children’s Books of 2013; Bake Sale was chosen as a YALSA Great Graphic Novel of 2012; and Robot Dreams was on Oprah’s Kids’ Reading List in 2008. In 2013, Sara was a recipient of the Sendak Fellowship. saravaron.com