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Kelly Starling Lyons
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My Hands Tell a Story | Multigenerational Juvenile Fiction of Family and Self-Love | Reading Age 7-11 | Grade Level 2-4 | New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2022 | Reycraft Books

by Kelley Starling Lyons (Author), Tonya Engel (Illustrator)
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 28 ratings
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★ School Library Journal Starred Review
★ Publishers Weekly Starred Review

Written by Kelly Starling Lyons and illustrated by Tonya Engel. My Hands Tell a Story is about a little girl who becomes transported by the tales her grandmother's hands tell, while baking bread with her. Tales that spring from the rose-painted nails, a flower-banded wedding ring, and the way her fingers move and glide, show just how these hands have many tales to tell, but only if you listen.

This best seller is an impactful tale that honors family and self-love. It beautifully shows how you carry memories within yourself that are meant to be shared with your loved ones. Children will discover that their own hands have the power to shape the start of their life story, and for generations to come!

FOR ALL AGES | Meaningful and loved by every generation

INSPIRATIONAL | Learn how impactful your memories have on you and your family

AWARD WINNING | NCTE 2023 Charlotte Huck Award Recommendation for Outstanding Fiction for Children Recommended Book, and New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2022

REYCRAFT BOOKS | Authentic stories and illustrations reflecting the voice and vision of children
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Editorial Reviews

Review

Gr 1–3―In this heartwarming story, Zoe, a young Black girl, shares reflective conversation with her grandma, inspired by Zoe's observations of her grandma's skillful, graceful hands as they bake bread together. The grandmother reveals how her hands hold memories, love of family, and a life lived with purpose, all of which reassure Zoe that her own hands hold strength to shape the start of her own life story. This sincere relationship of trust and care is beautifully captured in oil-painted illustrations, where quiet, personal moments within the kitchen are accompanied by an elegant, symbolic focus on hands. Engel's painterly brush strokes in captivating scenes create textured grooves, an integral element transforming the hands and scenes depicted into sculpted lines and lively colors that appear almost tangible to readers. Vivid blended layers and gentle swirls outline the figures for a glowing effect that echoes the thoughtful tone of the story. VERDICT Readers will pause to share in the happiness and sense of peace that bloom on the family's faces; the spirit of finding one's calling in this expressively illustrated book honoring family and self-love.―Rachel Mulligan --From School Library Journal

★ In this heartwarming story, Zoe, a young Black girl, shares reflective conversation with her grandma, inspired by Zoe’s observations of her grandma’s skillful, graceful hands as they bake bread together. The grandmother reveals how her hands hold memories, love of family, and a life lived with purpose, all of which reassure Zoe that her own hands hold strength to shape the start of her own life story. This sincere relationship of trust and care is beautifully captured in oil-painted illustrations, where quiet, personal moments within the kitchen are accompanied by an elegant, symbolic focus on hands. Engel’s painterly brush strokes in captivating scenes create textured grooves, an integral element transforming the hands and scenes depicted into sculpted lines and lively colors that appear almost tangible to readers. Vivid blended layers and gentle swirls outline the figures for a glowing effect that echoes the thoughtful tone of the story. Readers will pause to share in the happiness and sense of peace that bloom on the family’s faces; the spirit of finding one’s calling in this expressively illustrated book honoring family and self-love. --School Library Journal Starred Review

★ Hands and the stories they tell become the means through which a Black child bonds with a beloved grandmother in this expressive, painterly picture book. While showing Zoe how to bake cinnamon bread like her mother taught her (“Ingredients are only part of it. You’ve got to get the rhythm”), Zoe’s grandma describes some of what her hands have seen and done―from dancing onstage to growing a vegetable garden early in her marriage―prompting Zoe to reflect on the future. “I look at my hands, really look at them, for the first time./ I can see memories in every line.// Clapping games with friends./ Drawing my dreams./ Building and baking,” Zoe describes. When the bread is finished, the pair high five, and Grandma remarks upon the physical similarity between their hands, while also musing about the different life experiences Zoe is sure to have. With big brushstrokes, Engel’s thickly textured paintings lend a timeless feel to Lyons’s heartwarming portrait of grandparent-child love. --Publishers Weekly Starred Review

About the Author

KELLY STARLING LYONS | Like Zoe, she grew up baking treats with her grandma. Now, she celebrates those special moments in stories. Kelly has written many acclaimed children's books, including Caldecott Honor winner Going Down Home with Daddy, Christopher Award winner Tiara's Hat Parade, and Geisel Honor winner Ty's Travels: Zip Zoom. She is a teaching artist and a founding member of The Brown Bookshelf. Kelly lives in North Carolina with her family.

TONYA ENGEL | A self-taught artist born in Texas and has established studios in New York, Miami, Austin, and Houston, where she now lives. Heavily influenced by folk artists of the Deep South and Harlem Renaissance, Tonya's illustrations speak to image, identity, and relationships. Combining decorative elements, oil paints, and occasional collage, the subjects are mainly women whose facial expressions invite thought and interpretation. Engel has received many awards, including a three-month residency in Paris, France.

REYCRAFT BOOKS | Our mission is to create books of interest for ALL children. We publish original and licensed works from authors and illustrators around the globe who have unique stories to tell.

Product details

  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 28 ratings

About the author

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Kelly Starling Lyons

Kelly Starling Lyons

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Kelly Starling Lyons began her journey to become a children's book author in her hometown of Pittsburgh. She learned the art of storytelling from her mom who took her to productions at a children's theater, wrote plays and made up bedtime tales. Her grandparents, who showed their imagination through cooking and gardening, taught her to honor the magic of history and home. Surrounded by creativity, Lyons began to write.

She curled up near the radiator behind her bedroom door and allowed her pen to take her to other worlds. A canopy of trees transformed into a make-believe fortress, backyards hid treasure and tunnels to faraway lands, bridges that crossed the Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio rivers spanned distance and time.

Now a children's book author and teaching artist, her mission is to center Black heroes, celebrate family, friendship and heritage and show all kids the storyteller they hold inside. Many of her books have won accolades including a Caldecott Honor for Going Down Home with Daddy, illustrated by Daniel Minter; Christopher Award for Tiara's Hat Parade, illustrated by Nicole Tadgell; a Geisel Honor for Ty's Travels: Zip, Zoom, illustrated by Nina Mata and Junior Library Guild selection for Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon, illustrated by Laura Freeman. Her latest picture book, My Hands Tell a Story, illustrated by Tonya Engel, earned two starred reviews.

Kelly also writes for chapter book readers. Her Jada Jones series has earned praise for celebrating an African-American girl who loves science, friends and family. The latest is Jada Jones: Nature Lover. In 2022, Kelly's Miles Lewis spin-off series debuted. The first book, Miles Lewis: King of the Ice, is a Junior Library Guild selection. Stay tuned for more easy readers, picture books and chapter books.

Find out more about Kelly at www.kellystarlinglyons.com. Thanks for your support.

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
28 global ratings
Touching story and beautiful illustrations
5 Stars
Touching story and beautiful illustrations
Enjoyed this book! A quite sweet story of a young girl learning more than just baking from her loving grandmother. The book reminded me of the loving moments I had with my own grandmother - cooking in the kitchen while talking and listening. And the illustrations are just stunning! This would be a great addition to any young girls book collection. Nicely done!
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Top reviews from the United States

Yolanda Nimmer-Williams
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved book/story
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2023
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My 9 year old loved this book! She also loved seeing a kid that looked like her on the cover.
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Regan H Goldstein
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful story.
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2023
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I read this book to 2nd graders for African-American History Month. The children and adults loved it. It crosses race, gender and generational lines. The message is for all.
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Nedra Starling
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding selection!
Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2023
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Bought a copy for my goddaughter and to donate to our local women's shelter.
I loved the story line and illustrations!
Thank you.
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Queen B
5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational and great for storytelling
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2023
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My niece loves this book. So inspiring and ready for bedtime storytelling.
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Tonya Fennell-Johnson
4.0 out of 5 stars Gift
Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2023
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My niece loves books and enjoyed this one.
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Dave K
5.0 out of 5 stars Importance of Family.
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2024
Vine Customer Review of Free Product( What's this? )
I got this for a classroom library and it's absolutely perfect! This helps make my library more diverse. The story centers on family, and on being proud of where you come from. I love the message, and think my students will really enjoy this one.
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Andrew
5.0 out of 5 stars Charming book and lovely story
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2024
Vine Customer Review of Free Product( What's this? )
The story is simple but touching, and the artwork is beautiful. It tells a story that many can relate to and that transcends gender and race. I read it to third graders and they loved it!
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CarylBird
5.0 out of 5 stars Great children's book
Reviewed in the United States on November 28, 2023
Vine Customer Review of Free Product( What's this? )
Very nice children's book about a girl who loves to spend time with her grandmother. Nicely illustrated.
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