The 2024 picture book Monster Hands is an interesting book. Written by Karen Kane and Jonaz McMillan and illustrated by Dion MBD, Monster Hands combines several elements. It starts with nods to familiar picture books and familiar concerns: after reading several famous children’s book (such as Where the Wild Things Are), Milo reads a book with a monster under the bed and gets scared there’s a monster under his bed. Thus far, very familiar.
However, the book then takes some novel turns. Milo reaches out to his friend Mel, who lives across the street. He gets her attention by shining a light, and then the two sign back and forth, a way to get friend support (and integrate ASL) without drawing parental attention.
Mel advises Milo to make scary shadows on the wall, demonstrating and explaining each suggestion. The book thus layers several realities and visual elements: Milo’s bedroom is visible, but so are his fears, and then the scary shadows Mel suggests. Shadows of Mel herself also join the fray.
Working together, the friends use their monster hands to get rid of the monster…or Milo’s fears, which are just as real to the kids.
The book then ends with a lesson about hands, monsters, and friends that is so direct it is almost a moral.
The book doesn’t say which of the kids is deaf, if both are, or if neither is–a detail I like–but Karen Kane has worked as a sign language interpreter, and Jonaz McMillan is deaf and has a Master’s in Deaf Education. Monster Hands was a Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book. The ALA gives this award for best representations of disability.
