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Hands Are Not for Hitting (Board Book) (Best Behavior Series)

Original price was: $9.99.Current price is: $8.58.

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It’s never too soon for children to learn that violence is never okay, hands can do many good things, and everyone is capable of positive, loving actions.

In this bright, inviting, durable board book, simple words and full-color illustrations teach these important concepts in ways even very young children can understand.

Created in response to requests from parents, preschool teachers, and childcare providers, this book belongs everywhere young children are. Includes tips for parents and caregivers.

Best Behavior® Series
Simple words and lively full-color illustrations guide children to choose positive behaviors. Select titles are available in two versions: a durable board book for ages 1–4 and an expanded paperback for ages 4–7. Bilingual board book and paperback editions of titles are also available. Kids, parents, and teachers love these award-winning books. All include helpful tips for teachers, caregivers, and parents.


From the brand

Free Spirit PublishingFree Spirit Publishing

Kids encounter challenges everywhere—at home, in school, and in the wider world. Regardless of the choices, changes, and opportunities they face, Free Spirit has remained dedicated to equipping children and teens, along with the adults who support them, with the tools to think independently, tackle obstacles, and create a positive impact in the world.

Why Free Spirit?

For 40 years, Free Spirit has empowered children and teens with tools to think independently, overcome challenges, and create change.

Free Spirit Best Sellers

What makes our products unique?

Our books are positive, solution-oriented, and kid-friendly, meeting children of all ages—from babies to teens—right where they are and tackling the real-life challenges they encounter.

Why do we love what we do?

Our over 300 award-winning books and products have become cherished resources for parents, teachers, counselors, youth workers, and kids everywhere. Their trust in us fuels our passion and commitment to making a difference.

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Publisher ‏ : ‎ Free Spirit Publishing
Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 15, 2002
Edition ‏ : ‎ 18718th
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 24 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 157542200X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1575422008
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.4 ounces
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 1 – 3 years, from customers
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7 x 0.57 x 7 inches
Part of series ‏ : ‎ Best Behavior
Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool and up
Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ AD360L
Best Sellers Rank: #719 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #5 in Children’s Manners Books #17 in Children’s Self-Esteem Books #30 in Children’s Books on Emotions & Feelings (Books)
Customer Reviews: 4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 8,213 ratings var dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction; P.when(‘A’, ‘ready’).execute(function(A) { if (dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction !== true) { dpAcrHasRegisteredArcLinkClickAction = true; A.declarative( ‘acrLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault”: true }, function (event) { if (window.ue) { ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrLinkClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } } ); } }); P.when(‘A’, ‘cf’).execute(function(A) { A.declarative(‘acrStarsLink-click-metrics’, ‘click’, { “allowLinkDefault” : true }, function(event){ if(window.ue) { ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”, (ue.count(“acrStarsLinkWithPopoverClickCount”) || 0) + 1); } }); });

Customers say

Customers find this book effective for teaching toddlers about appropriate hand use, with simple text and pictures that draw in the audience. Moreover, the book helps children stop hitting, with one customer noting a significant change in their child’s behavior. They appreciate how it presents several acceptable ways for children to use their hands, making it a valuable tool for parents.

13 reviews for Hands Are Not for Hitting (Board Book) (Best Behavior Series)

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  1. Zach

    Helpful Message, Toddler-Approved
    Hands Are Not for Hitting is another great book in this series. It helps teach an important lesson in a calm, simple way that young kids can understand. Our toddlers enjoy the illustrations and ask us to read it again and again. It’s been a helpful tool for reinforcing kind behavior and giving them words for big feelings. Definitely worth adding to your collection.

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  2. Chief Chaos Containment Officer

    Hands Are for Hugging, Not for WWE Tryouts
    This book has been a lifesaver in teaching my toddler that hands are for things like hugging and helping—not smacking, swatting, or auditioning for toddler fight club. The Best Behavior series nails it again with simple words and pictures that somehow cut through the chaos and keep my kid engaged.The format is genius: start with what hands are for (“helping mommy clean up the million toys you dumped out”), then explain what they’re not for (“hitting mom because she dared to say no to a third snack”). It’s clear, gentle, and exactly what we needed to curb the tiny tornado of hands flying at inappropriate moments.We’ve even started using the book’s format in everyday life. “What are hands for?” gets a thoughtful response, while “What are they NOT for?” earns a little head tilt like they’re really pondering their choices. Anytime there’s a slip-up, out comes the book, and it’s like a magical toddler reboot.If your kid is testing the boundaries of what hands can do (spoiler: it’s not hitting), this book is a must-have. It’s effective and has definitely made our house a more peaceful place.

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  3. Crystal Martinez

    Great addition to our library!
    These books are amazing for all ages!

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  4. Fran

    This is a great book to help encourage little people with knowing all …
    This is a great book to help encourage little people with knowing all of the many ways to use their hands in a peaceful and productive manner. Some of the elements that I like most include:- The book uses positive reinforcement in the manner in which it highlights all of the many uses of hands that are peaceful, loving and helpful. The book mentions how not to use your hands but does not focus on the negative uses of hands.- The book is well illustrated and the colors and pictures definitely draw in the audience to paying close attention to the activities of each individual page.- The diverse children represented on each page is a huge plus. It is refreshing to see a book that demonstrates that children range in many different colors. The book celebrates that idea that diverse children coexist and thrive together.- The text is simple and can be understood by very small children (I purchased and read to my 2 year old who clearly understands and repeats the text in relevant moments/settings).

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  5. Noelle

    Good illustrations and idea but room for improvement.
    This review is for the Board Book which is supposed to be for children up to 4 years old. I know some reviews mentioned it is a lot less substantive than the paperback yellow cover version but that is because that is for the 4-7 year old age group. I bought this version as my son is two and a half and has been begun hitting. The simplicity is good for his age but I do wish it would talk more about why it’s not good to hit (perhaps the 4-7 year old version does that?). It just says “Hands are not for hitting. What are hands for? then has a page showing playing, building, hugging, etc.”It’s showing various things you can do with your hands in general but doesn’t address when you are mad you should do this instead. Like when a toddler is mad, he isn’t thinking “o yes, hands are for building sand castles”. I’m trying to find a book that shows a child upset/mad and that hitting others isn’t the answer… tell a parent or teacher what is wrong i.e. use your words instead.Also, it doesn’t explain that hitting hurts, it’s not nice, etc. We started adding to the Hands are not for hitting pages saying… “No hitting. Hitting hurts.” and he seems to get the message. He hasn’t stopped hitting all together yet but I do ask him here and there… do we hit? and he says “no hitting… hitting hurts. ouch” lol. Our son does like reading the book (nice illustrations) and it’s definitely a good start so I would recommend it but there is some room for improvement in the text. If I find anothor book that would also be good to read along with this, I will update this posting.

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  6. Erin

    Toddler boy mom
    Like most mamas, we experience hitting. My 2 year old boy has been hitting to get attention, especially since we brought home our newest addition, his baby brother. Now, we have something to refer to that we can call out when he does hit instead of just yelling at him. The book has been very helpful and we read it every night!

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  7. Samantha Villamor

    Helped a lot.
    My two year old had been going through a really bad hitting phase, and I was at my wits end about how to stop it. I’m really glad I found this book when I did.It reinforces all the good and fun things we use our hands for, while emphasizing that we don’t use them to hit after about every other page or so. While at the same time, using simple short phrasing so my toddler doesn’t loose interest.It has become one of the books he regularly brings to me to read to him, I highly recommend this book for anyone having similar issues.

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  8. Theycallmeshopesy

    Toddler book must have
    Purchased for my toddler when she was turning 2 to help her understand about hitting and what things our hands can do. Loved the simple ideas this book presents and she still (now 3.5 years old) recites parts of this book randomly to us. A great introductory book about gentle hands to littles!

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  9. Cesar Augusto Ramos Xavier

    Este cuento es muy bonito y útil para nuestros hijos.

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  10. Anas Shatnawi

    The content is valuable for kids to help them understand the different ways to use their hands and fingures

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  11. Lavina Ankita

    I was adviced by a teacher when my toddler started hitting.It improved her understanding alot..She stopped huttiing very soon

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  12. eleonora biasi

    Very educative and useful for toddlers who are struggling controlling their feelings

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  13. Amazon カスタマー

    分かりやすく読むたびに心にグッときます

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    Hands Are Not for Hitting (Board Book) (Best Behavior Series)
    Hands Are Not for Hitting (Board Book) (Best Behavior Series)

    Original price was: $9.99.Current price is: $8.58.

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