Hands Up!

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. (Jan.)

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

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

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Praise for Hands Up!

This book turns the phrase [hands up] on its head to give little ones confidence and pride, culminating in activism.
—USA Today

In dynamic multi-media art, family, friends, and community fill one African-American girl's life with love. . . . Hands Up! can singularly or simultaneous serve as a kid-friendly preview of growing up, as catalyst for a conversation about the dangers of being black in America, and/or as determined reclamation of a loaded phrase.
—San Francisco Chronicle

"The epitome of #blackgirljoy . . . Empowering."
—Mashable

* "McDaniel's debut picture book offers a jubilant paean to a universal, everyday occurrence . . . Spare, deeply expressive mixed-media pictures by Evans feature vivid colors and inventive textures, and they underscore the power of helping hands. . . . An uplifting celebration of advocating for oneself, aiding those in need, and connecting with one's community."
—Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "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."
—School Library Journal, starred review

* Sobering and celebratory both, writer and artist triumphantly assure all audiences, especially young black readers, 'You matter.'
—Shelf Awareness, starred review

"A warm and necessary message of empowerment for black children, helping them see that raising their hands is a celebration of their humanity."
—Kirkus

"A book that highlights the joys of black and brown childhood while it positions very young children as leaders and agents of change."
—The Horn Book