School Library Journal (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

PreS-Gr 1-- A crew of kids and animals, dressed in appealing combinations of comfortable odds and ends of clothing, responds to suggestions from Cauley's verse. They wiggle, purr, fly, tickle, somersault, kiss, and spin against the white background of double-page spreads. In a style much like Bruce Degen's, Cauley offers an ethnic mix of children tingling with energy and fun. Their unique motions and interactions imply plenty about the joy of movement and the value of individual interpretation. The jubilant mood of the characters' body language is reinforced by their facial expressions and captured in their eyes. The colors of the artist's mixed media (colored pencils, pastels, paints) are fresh and appealing. But what happens when this same blast of happy energy occurs and reoccurs in the same format page after page? A form of monotony--and, unfortunately, the verse's steady beat only reinforces it. Instead of staying caught up in the book's greater momentum, readers will start searching for details (How is this picture different from the last one?). It's too bad that this format isn't worthy of Cauley's vision; a book of hers that works 100% could be a whopper. In the meantime, let's applaud Clap Your Hands.--Liza Bliss, formerly at Leominster Public Library, MA

Horn Book (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Children and animals bounce on and through the pages of this illustrated action rhyme. Detailed costumes create a homespun circus, and a repeating line of blue squares pulls together the disparate action and adds visual continuity to changing scenes. Children will be eager to act out this story.

ALA Booklist (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

In this high-spirited picture book, even the title calls for action. A merry cast of children and costumed animals act out the suggestions provided by the rhyming text. In a series of lively double-page spreads, the illustrations feature glowing colors and make good use of Cauley's gift for characterization, particularly of animals. Some parts of the book would be fun as action rhymes for preschool story time: Clap your hands, / stomp your feet. / Shake your arms, then take a seat. Others, though, might be impractical with a large group: Close your eyesÿ20/ and count to four. / Now do a somersaultÿ20/ across the floor. Parent-child sharing would also be fun, though not at bedtime: this book's bugle call is not taps, but reveille. (Reviewed Mar. 1, 1992)

Kirkus Reviews (Mon Feb 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

An extended play-rhyme that invites readers or listeners to clap, jump, spin, wriggle, pat, rub, and stretch in a variety of ways. Cauley's humans and clothed animals cavort happily across the pages; the layout is spacious and the action easy to follow, with each character bursting with childlike energy. Taken cover to cover, this is something of a workout (less limber programmers take heed!); but, fortunately, it lends itself to excerpting and rearrangement. Infectiously joyful. (Picture book. 6 down)"

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

The rhyming couplets of Clap Your Hands by Lorinda Bryan Cauley will inspire young ones to move their bodies just as the fully clothed jolly animals and their human companions do. ( June)