He’s Got The Whole World in His Hands

Bibliography: Nelson, Kadir. He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands. New York, NY: Dial Books, 2005.

ISBN-13 : 978-0803728509

Plot Summary: Kadir Nelson is an award winning illustrator who made the words of a spiritual hymn come to life. The book is filled with beautiful illustrations that depict the “whole world” of the little boy appears on the cover.

Analysis: Kadir Nelson’s depiction of the spiritual hymn, He’s Got The Whole World in HIs Hands, is stunning. The first page shows the “world” as viewed from space and zooms in as the pages turn only to return to the same view on the last page. The boy on the cover is seen in almost every illustration. Nelson makes the reader feel like we are glimpsing into the most important things in the boy’s world. We see his family and their activities and what makes them happy. It is a beautiful celebration of what we love and cherish. The illustrations are detailed and beautiful and almost appear to be photographs. The illustrator also includes “hand drawings” of the whole world depicted by the main character. It is just another way for the reader to connect with the message of the book.

Reviews:

“The lyrics to the beloved Negro spiritual have been illustrated to bring the song to book format. Set in the San Francisco Bay area, large colorful illustrations of African American children and families tell the story of a world protected with love. ” Children’s Literature- Kristin Harris

“The popular spiritual finds new life as a picture book celebrating diversity and community.” Publishers Weekly 

Awards: * As listed on Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database

• Baker’s Dozen: The Best Children’s Books for Family Literacy, 2006 
• Best Children’s Books of the Year, 2005  Special Interests
• Booklist Book Review Stars, 2005 
• Booklist Top 10 Religion Books for Youth, 2006 
• Children’s Catalog, Nineteenth Edition, 2006 
• Kirkus Book Review Stars, 2005 
• New York Public Library’s 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, 2005  Picture Book
• School Library Journal Book Review Stars,  
• School Library Journal Book Review Stars, 2005 

Connections:

Display a collection of books that illustrate familiar songs. Books such as, Ms MacDonald has a class by Jan Ormerod. And There was a tree by, Rachel Isadora. Students can “read” to each other by singing familiar verses. This will encourage book awareness and fluency.

Make a class book as an extension. The students can bring in a picture or draw their favorite family memory and add a page using the verse, he’s got __________ in his hands, to describe something special to them.

Accommodations:

Use this book to create a class book of self portraits. Each student will get a page with their picture and name. He’s got ____ in his hand, will be the reoccurring verse that will help every child be familiar with their classmates. A book can also be made with important adults in the building; teacher, nurse, librarian, music teacher and so on. Students can take turns taking it home to share with their family. Providing this book to a family of a nonverbal student will strengthen the home/school connection immensely.

Listen to various interpretations of the song the books is based on. Ask children to visualize the lyrics. What do they see in their mind when the artist sings about the world? Provide a variety of art supplies for the students to use to create their world.