Henry's Hand

K-Gr 3—Henry is a jolly zombie with the uncanny ability to disassemble himself. He relies on all of his body parts, but he is most dependent on dutiful and friendly Hand. But when Hand starts to feel overworked, he runs away to the big city to go on an adventure of his own and finds himself living in luxury. But now that he doesn't have to lift a finger to help anyone else, he grows restless, while back at home Henry realizes how he took Hand for granted. It's a ridiculous and bizarre concept, but also filled with a lot of heart. In the end, Henry writes Hand a letter saying that he needs him, and Hand replies, "I came as soon as I could. That's just how it is with old friends." MacDonald's nostalgic style makes the piece come alive (undead?) and adds to the humor. The picture-perfect world filled with Art Deco buildings and rosy-cheeked townsfolk comically contrasts with a cartoon Henry and his Munsters-like hotrod. Henry's Hand would pair well with Michael Rex's Goodnight Goon (2008) and Runaway Mummy (2009, both Putnam).—Peter Blenski, Greenfield Public Library, WI