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Jan Hurst-Nicholson
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The Race (an inspiring story for left-handers): A valuable resource for parents and teachers that highlights the challenges faced by left-handers Kindle Edition

by Jan Hurst-Nicholson (Author), Vanessa Burger (Illustrator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 24 ratings
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Vicky is left-handed and teased for being clumsy, but when her gran comes to stay Vicky learns that being left-handed has its own advantages – and in a quite spectacular way.


Vicky’s Granddad has died and her Gran is coming for a visit. Vicky wants to cheer her up by embroidering a cushion as a gift, but Vicky is left-handed and she struggles to learn how to sew. She decides that winning a race in the school sports might be a better idea – but can she do it, especially when Graham threatens to spoil all her plans?

The story highlights some of the challenges faced by left-handers. At the end of the book there is advice on how to help left-handers; how to tell if a child is left-handed; the correct way for a left-hander to hold a pencil and to slant the paper; famous left-handers; percentage of the population who are left-handed; career choices for left-handers and cultural issues for left-handers.

The book is a valuable resource for teachers and parents of left-handers.
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  1. Reading age
    7 - 12 years
  2. Print length
    42 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    January 11, 2014
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

This is what Pooh would have called a Consoling book. Vicky is a small girl frustrated - as so many children are - by being left-handed. (The author points out at the end how many items pose problems: pencil sharpeners, corkscrews, scissors and the number pad on a computer keyboard for example.) Illustrated with cleverly adapted colour photos, this shortish book ends with Sports Day and Vicky wins a race because she is a 'leftie'. Success at last! And nothing sinister about it. An observant story by a thoughtful author. For middle primary readers.
Rating * (recommended) Jay Heale - Bookchat.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00D30CIJU
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Just4kix Books (January 11, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 11, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.3 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 42 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 24 ratings

About the author

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Jan Hurst-Nicholson

Jan Hurst-Nicholson

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Jan Hurst-Nicholson has been reliably informed that website biographies are usually written in the third person, giving them the air of being penned by an authoritative third party (allowing the author carte-blanche to embellish without the restraints of false modesty)

Jan’s published articles, humorous articles and short stories have been compiled into a book: "Something to Read on the Plane - a bit of light literature, short stories & other fun stuff," and "I Made These Up (short stories for the fireside)"

Her experiences moving from Liverpool to South Africa in the 1970s were the inspiration for her humorous novel, "But Can You Drink The Water?” a semi-finalist (top 50 out of 5000) in the 2010 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award and a runner-up in the Peter Pook humorous novel competition.

Jan worked in the R&D department of a large bakery for several years, and this gave her the idea for "The Breadwinners" a family saga spanning 60 years and set in Durban.

Her teen/YA novel, “Mystery at Ocean Drive”, which was a runner-up in the 2010 Citizen/Pan MacMillan YA novel award.

"With the Headmaster's Approval" won the best Chick Lit/Women’s Lit category in the 2015 eFestival of Words

Her first children's book was "Leon Chameleon PI and the case of the missing canary eggs" published by Gecko Books, and was one of Bookchat's 1993 South African Books of the Year. This was followed by "Leon Chameleon PI and the case of the kidnapped mouse" which was selected as one of the 2013 Kart Kids Book Award winners in the US. “Leon Chameleon PI and the case of the bottled bat” is awaiting publication. These are humorous, animal, detective stories set in a nature reserve.

"Bheki and the Magic Light", which tells of a bullied herd boy who becomes a hero, was published by Penguin SA and is now also available as an e-book.

'Jake,' was published by Cambridge University Press.

“The Race (an inspiring story for left-handers)” is her latest children's book and also has advice for parents and teachers.

Jan’s non-fiction book. "PUBLIC SPEAKING - BANISH THE BUTTERFLIES: Practical bite-sized tips, techniques and fun anecdotes from seasoned speakers to put you at ease in any public speaking situation" is based on her 35-year involvement in public speaking training.

Jan's writing also appears in Edge Words (20 stories from the Cheshire Prize for Literature 2006 and 2023) published by University of Chester, Chicken Soup for the Caregiver's Soul and Chicken Soup for the Soul 101 best stories On Being a Parent; Summer Shorts, My Funny Major Medical, and Tales2Inspire, The Crystal Collection.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
24 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book insightful and helpful for parents of left-handed children. They describe it as a charming children's story with a good lesson for lefties. The book is described as a wonderful read aloud or a book for families to discuss and share.

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LiteracyStory quality
6 customers mention "Literacy"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book insightful and helpful for parents of left-handed children. They say it's a good story with a lesson for lefties, and a great read aloud or family discussion book. The book provides useful information about left-handedness.

"...Recommend this book highly for teachers, parents and children as a read aloud or a book for families to discuss and share." Read more

"...From way back. I irked the way that her grandma was so understanding about her granddaughter's difference ;of being left handed and all the..." Read more

"...often made to feel awkward about it - and second as a guide to parents of such children...." Read more

"...It also has a lot of information about left-handedness, and i recommend it for any parent who has a kid who is left-handed, and also for parents who..." Read more

5 customers mention "Story quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the story engaging and charming. They say it has a good lesson for lefties and is written first to reassure those who are left-handed.

"...So, for all of these reasons and a great helpful story I feel like this book needs five stars...." Read more

"A short and charming children's story written first to reassure the 15 percent of children who are left-handed and who are often made to feel..." Read more

"...The story is fun, if a little predictable, and has a warm ending...." Read more

"...Loved the story. I have recommended this to my daughter to get." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Barbara Mojica
    5.0 out of 5 stars MIGHT MAKES RIGHT
    Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Vicky hates sitting next to Graham in school. He is always bumping into her. Vicky is left-handed and finds it difficult to accomplish simple tasks that seem to come easy for everybody else. She is a klutz in sports and never seems to excel. To make matters worse, everyone seems to make fun of her. Vicky is looking forward to her grandmother's upcoming visit. She has been busy trying to finish a needlepoint cover as a gift, but even that seems to be coming out wrong. Vicky wants to prove to her grandmother that she is successful, so she and her friend Vicky practice nonstop to win the egg balancing race. Her grandmother will be watching; they are determined to win. An unexpected turn of events leads to a new race being added at the last minute. Will Vicky get a chance to prove to herself and others being left-handed actually be an advantage?

    I loved this chapter book. Perhaps being married to a left-hander and having a left-handed son has made be acutely aware of some of the everyday problems left-handed people face. This book presents the problems and enables all of us right-handers to understand how difficult it can be for someone who is a “lefty” to function in a world of right-handed preferences. The world is finally becoming more attuned to the need for left handed tools and devices. Recommend this book highly for teachers, parents and children as a read aloud or a book for families to discuss and share.
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  • Jesus!3!
    5.0 out of 5 stars Door have problems and or questions being a left-handwr? Read this!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed this story and the info that was found in the back of this ebook? Why? I am also a leftie! From way back. I
    irked the way that her grandma was so understanding about her granddaughter's difference ;of being left handed and all the tips and other helps she gave her. I sure wish I could have had more of that type of help myself when a child. My one grandma stood behind me as I sat off a stool while she showed me now to tie my shoe laces. This was much easier and quicker for for me understand and know how to toe my shoe laces with practice a lot faster on my own! The way you stated it in your ebook here was for me more confusing. just like in gym class with the teacher facing me and I having to face her head on was most confusing! I recommend this ebook. for any kid that is having to go to school.etc. who is a left handwr,too as well as parents and teachers of their left handed kid(s). So, for all of these reasons and a great helpful story I feel like this book needs five stars.
    I received this ebook for free and in return now have given it an honest review. Great work Jan! By Angela
    One person found this helpful
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  • james clarke
    4.0 out of 5 stars For left handers - AND the rest
    Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    A short and charming children's story written first to reassure the 15 percent of children who are left-handed and who are often made to feel awkward about it - and second as a guide to parents of such children. One can only assume Hurst-Nicholson is left-handed herself because her empathy is obvious from page one.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • Georgigirl
    5.0 out of 5 stars I would recommend this to all who are around children - their ...
    Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    "The Race" by Ms.Nicholson if truly an inspiring story for left-handers, and those who live and/or work with them. We should never jump to conclusions when a child (or adult, for that matter) doesn't conform to our expectations. Not wanting to and/or not being able to, both lead to problems. Most people are unable to, or don't know enough to, 'stand up' for themselves and instead begin to think there is something wrong with them. They may also become angry with those around them and/or withdraw to avoid conflict. This story encourages all to look a little -or a lot- deeper when someone doesn't fit the "norm". We should remember that the norm is usually only what the majority does, right or wrong. It also encourages, and gives specific suggestions, for anyone involved with 'different' kids, esp. left-handers, to overcome any obstacles to coping well. I would recommend this to all who are around children - their own, or others' - and for lefties old enuf to read it on their own.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing sinister at all!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Written by the talented author of Bheki and the Magic Light, this is another winner. The story is about a "clumsy" left-hander named Vicky and how, with the support of her close friend, she finally realizes she isn't clumsy and awkward, just left-handed in a right-handed world. The story is fun, if a little predictable, and has a warm ending. It also has a lot of information about left-handedness, and i recommend it for any parent who has a kid who is left-handed, and also for parents who want their kids to appreciate and enjoy diversity instead of fearing or jeering it.

    This review originally appeared at Ian Wood's Novellum.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved the story
    Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    My daughter is left-handed so I know a few things how she feels and battled with as a child. Loved the story. I have recommended this to my daughter to get.
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  • AmazonCustomer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Nice story
    Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    good story with good lesson for lefties. my littley liked it and it has good resources at the back. not sure if the illustrations suit, but worth a buy
    One person found this helpful
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  • Candice
    5.0 out of 5 stars So glad I read this book!!
    Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    More respect for my little lefty!! A wonderful read and an insight to a left handed child's mind. Recommend this book to all parents of left handed little ones!
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Ignite
    4.0 out of 5 stars A real inspiration
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 4, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This book, an illustrated short story about Vicky, a school child who is left handed, is a lovely tale, suitable for children to read, or have read to them. Vicky has all sorts of problems at school and feels clumsy, because of her left handedness. Often though, it is other people's lack of awareness which is the problem. I really enjoyed the fact that it was because of, not in spite of, her left handedness that Vicky triumphed.

    I don't usually like to have 'back matter' in a book but in this case it was all relevant. It covers special equipment for left handers, facts about them, famous left handers etc. For a child feeling 'different' this could be a real inspiration. I was drawn to this book as I'm the Gran of the first left hander in the family. It's given me some really useful information and a website to browse for ideas for an upcoming birthday. Very nice little book.
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