Additional information
by Martine Agassi (Author), Marieka Heinlen (Illustrator)
A Children's Guide To Non-Violent Behavior
It's good to lend a helping hand... not a hitting one! With easy-to-understand words and vibrant illustrations, toddlers learn why hitting is never okay as well as how to manage their anger and impulses with alternatives like walking away or talking to someone.
- Teaches Positive Alternatives to Hitting: This reassuring children's book helps toddlers learn safe ways to handle frustration, anger, and big emotions through calming strategies, communication, and positive choices.
- Shows All the Helpful Things Hands Can Do: From drawing and building to waving, helping, hugging, and playing, children discover fun, caring ways to use their hands without hurting others.
- Includes Helpful Tips for Parents & Caregivers: Hands Are Not for Hitting features additional guidance and social emotional learning activities in the back of the book that reinforce empathy, emotional regulation, kindness, and non-violent behavior at home or in the classroom.
Best Behavior(R) Series: Kids, parents, and educators love the award-winning book series that teaches children ages 1-4 important life skills in fun, relatable ways. From managing emotions to manners for kids, each book in the series uses simple words and relatable illustrations that encourage positive behaviors. Bilingual board books are available for select titles.
Author Biography
Martine Agassi, Ph.D., is a clinical therapist with extensive experience as a behavioral consultant, counseling children and families in schools, residential facilities, foster care, and private practice.
She has led workshops and group counseling in communication skills, parenting, drug and child abuse prevention, divorce, and self-esteem.
Martine, her husband, and their daughter live in Fallbrook, California, with their dog Toby.
Marieka Heinlen received her BFA at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and also studied at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London.
She launched her career as an award-winning children's book illustrator with Hands Are Not for Hitting and has illustrated all of the books in the Best Behavior(R) and Toddler Tools(R) series. Marieka focuses her work on books and other materials for children, teens, parents, and teachers.
She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, with her husband, son, and daughter.
