Hands Up!

Starred review from November 5, 2018
McDaniel’s debut picture book offers a jubilant paean to a universal, everyday occurrence that has many interpretations: raising one’s hands. A brown-skinned girl’s day begins with a stretch to “greet the sun, bold and bright,” and additional hands-up motions follow as she lifts her hands to let her parents pull on her shirt, enthusiastically gestures to her teacher (“Please pick me, Ms. B!”), reaches for a book on a high shelf, lifts hands “in praise and worship,” and jumps to score during a basketball game—and then triumphantly raises a trophy above her head. Spare, deeply expressive mixed-media pictures by Evans (Chocolate Me!) feature vivid colors and inventive textures, and they underscore the positive power of helping hands, even in less than ideal situations (adults comfort the girl when she overturns a glass of juice and takes a bicycle spill). Final spreads illuminate the book’s crux, as hands of various skin tones are raised in unison—“High fives all around”—and people fervently hold up placards endorsing love and tolerance. An uplifting celebration of advocating for oneself, aiding those in need, and connecting with one’s community. Ages 4–8.

December 1, 2018
This picture book offers a different take on a black body raising "hands up." Vibrant, colorfully textured illustrations show different displays of black children raising hands, such as playing peekaboo, getting dressed, and other mundane activities. The book follows one little girl as she puts her hands up to do chores, to reach for books on a high shelf at the library, and even to assume the fifth position in ballet class. She holds up her bun as her grandmother does her hair, throws her arms up "in praise and worship," and hoists a trophy after a victorious basketball game. Riding her bike with her hands up results in a fall, but there is a caring adult there to pick her back up. McDaniel sends a positive and affirming message that normalizes for black children the gesture of raising their hands, redeeming it from the very negative, haunting images of black people raising their hands while being confronted by police. The book closes with a bold illustration of children of all colors raising their hands and holding signs such as "Water = Life," "Spread Love," and "Black Lives Matter." Evans employs a pastel palette that amplifies McDaniel's sunny message. Outlines are done in purple, blue, brown--there are no literally black marks in this book.A warm and necessary message of empowerment for black children, helping them see that raising their hands is a celebration of their humanity. (Picture book. 4-8)

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July 1, 2019
In this affirmation of self-love for children of color, an exuberant brown-skinned girl recounts many situations in which she puts her "hands up": playing peek-a-boo, striking a pose in ballet, etc. Evans's textured illustrations effectively evoke a bright mood. An author's note articulates McDaniel's choice to reclaim the titular phrase from its negative associations with police encounters. A book that highlights the joys of black and brown childhood while positioning young children as agents of change.

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

January 1, 2019
In this affirmation of self-love for children of color, an exuberant brown-skinned girl recounts many situations in which she puts her hands up: playing peek-a-boo as a very young child, then, as she gets older, striking a fifth-position pose in ballet, offering praise in church, holding a basketball trophy aloft while being carried by teammates' raised hands, carrying a sign at a protest march, and more. (The protagonist's equally exuberant blue cat offers a parallel story for readers to follow.) Evans's illustrations effectively evoke a bright mood throughout, while encouraging readers to slow down and enjoy the textures. Some of them resemble photographed burlap and knitted fabrics; others have striated paintbrush strokes and light-colored swirly patterns. In appended author's and illustrator's notes, this team beautifully articulates a conscious commitment to creating positive mirror books for children of color, including McDaniel's very deliberate choice to reclaim the titular phrase from its negative associations with police encounters ( For many people, the phrase ?hands up' brings forward difficult emotions like anger, sadness, frustration, and fear ). A book that highlights the joys of black and brown childhood while it positions very young children as leaders and agents of change. michelle h. martin

(Copyright 2019 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from December 21, 2018

PreS-Gr 3-A black girl shares all the ways she puts her hands up. She raises them to greet the morning sun, play peek-a-boo, and to be dressed by her caring parents. As she gets older, she puts her hands up to reach for books, worship, execute ballet poses, and play basketball. As an adult she puts her hands up to advocate for change in her community. Bold digital illustrations with mixed media depict the girl doing everyday activities with her hands lifted in the air. A positive spirit pervades throughout the pages and offers a unique perspective on the phrase most recently associated with the Black Lives Matter chant, "Hands up, don't shoot!" Vibrant colors, heavy on bright yellow, coupled with straightforward prose energizes the pages. A note from the author, a children's literature scholar, explains her desire to illustrate how the phrase applies to everyday lives of African American children, who grow, have struggles, and feel joy. VERDICT This successfully delivers a message of everyday celebration in one simple gesture. As an introduction for children to social activism, this book will serve well. A terrific read-aloud for one-on-one and small group sharing.-Mindy Hiatt, Salt Lake County Library Services