What’s between your hands when you namaste the world? Maya is only three days into summer vacation and already bored. Outside her window, the street is full of neighbors. Coming and going. Earning and spending. Fixing and mending. Everyone has something to do—everyone’s hands are busy. Except Maya’s. When she opens her palms, they are empty. They are small. What in the world can her hands do? As Maya longs to do something useful alongside her neighbors—proclaim truth, stand for justice, or show mercy—she discovers that children like her can give the greatest gift of all: love.
"Perkins conveys a meaningful message. She seamlessly interweaves
multiple storylines in just a few words, telling a layered tale using
simple, child-friendly language, aided by Selvanathan’s vibrant,
detailed illustrations...Proof that even the smallest hands can wield
giant power." —Kirkus
"This charming book will have children holding love in their hands; a must-have for any social-emotional collection." —School Library Journal, starred review
"Selvanathan's
illustrations of Maya's multicultural urban home and community have a
sturdy solidity and are suffused with a golden warmth projected onto the
brightly colored scenes...A beautiful book that readers will relate to
and think about." —Booklist
Discussion Questions As you read this story with little ones, slow down to let their eyes take in the details of the illustrations. Breathe deeply with them as the characters breathe. My recommendation is to read it once and then ask these three questions before leafing through it a second time:
- How does Maya’s gift of water change her neighbors?
- What does she ask them? How and why does this question change them?
- Why does Mrs. Jones ask Maya to help instead of asking a grownup?
Here's the author's note that's in the back of the book.
Here I am trying to imitate the hairstyle Naveen Selvanathan created for Maya, the main character in our picture book collaboration, BETWEEN MY HANDS. Did I succeed?
