Grandpappy’s Corner: Tiny Hands Hymns, Tiny Hands Prayers, and Tiny Hands Promises edited by Hannah Duguid Estes, illustrated by Jessica Hiatt: A Great Set of Starter Devotional Reads

Tiny Hands Hymns

Tiny Hands Prayers

and

Tiny Hands Promises

edited by Hannah Duguid Estes, illustrated by Jessica Hiatt

DETAILS:
Publisher: P & R Publishing
Publication Date: October 25, 2023
Format: Board Book
Length: 16 pg. (each)
Read Date: April 27, 2024

What are the Tiny Hands About?

These are little board books that serve as beginning devotional materials—training wheels for young worshippers, if you will.

Tiny Hands Hymns

These are the first stanzas/verses of some of the best hymns around (and easiest to learn, too): “Holy, Holy, Holy,” “Be Thou My Vision,” “Amazing Grace,” “This Is My Father’s World,” “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” “Crown Him with Many Crowns,” and Thomas Ken’s doxology.

On the opposite pages are fitting illustrations, with some accent illustrations on the pages with text.

Tiny Hands Prayers

These are a selection of prayers—translated by Iain Duguid (Professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary), from various portions of Scripture to serve as models of prayer.

They include: Mary’s prayer from Luke 1, Hannah’s from 1 Samuel 2, a prayer based on Daniel’s Prayer from Daniel 9:4-19, a prayer based on Ephesians 3:14-19, David’s prayer from Psalm 130, The Lord’s Prayer from Matthew 6, and the prayer of the saints from Revelation 19, and the Aaronic benediction from Numbers 6.

Again, opposite each is an appropriate illustration, with some accent illustrations on the pages with text.

Tiny Hands Promises

This is a collection of covenant promises from the Old and New Testaments to introduce and remind even the littlest members of the covenant of what God has promised them. These, too, are translated by Iain Duguid.

They are Isaiah 43:1-3; John 10:27-28; Matthew 7:7-11; 2 Corinthians 12:9; James 1:5; 1 John 1:9, 7*; Philippians 1:6; and Revelation 21:3-5.

*I’m not sure I get why he ordered them this way.

Yet again, opposite each is an appropriate illustration, with some accent illustrations on the pages with text.

Let’s Talk about the Art for a Minute

I’ve apparently appreciated Hiatt’s work as a cover designer on a few books (The Wonderful Works of God by Herman Bavinck, Things Unseen by J. Gresham Machen, and Struck Down but Not Destroyed by Pierce Taylor Hibbs), but illustrating board books calls for a slightly different skill set. Still, the illustrations remind me of those covers.

I think these are great. Bright and cheerful, without being cartoonish or silly (I have nothing against those kinds of illustrations, but they’re not fitting for the subjects).

How are they to Read Aloud?

They’re fine—although I can’t imagine that anyone, even those who can’t carry a tune, not singing the hymns instead of reading them.

The translations (I’d be tempted to call them paraphrases, but the books say translations—and I don’t know enough to contradict that) are foreign-feeling for people who are familiar with/have memorized the relevant portions from the AV, ESV, NASB, etc. Once you get past that feeling, there’s nothing about the text that’s difficult or odd to read—and they seem easy enough for young children to comprehend (to some degree).

What did the Little Critter think of Them?

Okay, I haven’t had the chance to read these with him, but his Momma has. She reports that he likes Tiny Hands Hymns, because she sings them, and he really responds well to singing. He doesn’t really seem to care about the others one way or another. That fits his personality—but doesn’t really reflect on the books, if you ask me.

So, what did I think about the Tiny Hands books?

I think they’re a great idea—and overall, I am pleased with the execution. I do recommend them without hesitation.

I have some questions about some of the technical bits of translation, verse choices, and whatnot—not so much that I have a problem with the books, I’d just like someone good with the original languages to sit down with me and walk through these.

But for a young child? I think they’re well done and would be great resources for regular use.

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