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18th out of 82 books
—
165 voters
These Hands
Joseph’s grandpa could do almost anything with his hands. He could play the piano, throw a curveball, and tie a triple bowline knot in three seconds flat. But in the 1950s and 60s, he could not bake bread at the Wonder Bread factory. Factory bosses said white people would not want to eat bread touched by the hands of the African Americans who worked there. In this powerful...more
Hardcover, 32 pages
Published
March 7th 2011
by Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
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A grandfather teaches his grandson, Joseph, what his hands were able to do when he was younger such as playing baseball and the piano. He teaches these things to his grandson. The grandpa then tells his grandson how African American's were not allowed to handle the dough at the bread factory he worked at. His hands were used to get everybody together to write petitions for change and justice to happen. The pictures are beautiful and almost look like actual pictures.
My response: This was an excel...more
My response: This was an excel...more
Feb 17, 2013
CH13_Lisa Matthews
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
iv-realistic-fiction,
v-historical-fiction
These Hands is a story about an African American grandfather telling his grandson about all the things his hands could do except for one thing, which was mixing and making bread dough in the Wonder Bread Factory during the 1950’s. In this powerful intergenerational story, Joseph learns from his grandfather that people joined their hands together to fight discrimination so that one day, Joseph’s hands and the hands of other just like him could do anything their heart desire.
These Hands has severa...more
These Hands has severa...more
These Hands by Margaret H. Mason, Illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Mason, Margaret (2010) These Hands, New York City: Houghton Mifflin
Target Audience: K-3
In this wonderful, simple yet profound book an African American grandfather tells his grandson that despite all the wonderful things he could do with his hands he could not touch the bread dough in the Wonder Bread factory were he worked as a young man. The story is very moving and beautifully illustrated in soft oil wash shades. The story is based...more
Mason, Margaret (2010) These Hands, New York City: Houghton Mifflin
Target Audience: K-3
In this wonderful, simple yet profound book an African American grandfather tells his grandson that despite all the wonderful things he could do with his hands he could not touch the bread dough in the Wonder Bread factory were he worked as a young man. The story is very moving and beautifully illustrated in soft oil wash shades. The story is based...more
Don't miss this moving new picture book that combines a little-known piece of labor history and the civil rights movement with a tender portrait of a grandfather's close relationship with his grandson. Author Margaret Mason explains in an author's note that during the 1950s and early 1960s, African American workers at Wonder Bread and other bakery factories were allowed to sweep the floors, load the trucks, and fix the machines--but they were not allowed to work as bread dough mixers or bread do...more
This picture book gently introduces discrimination and the Civil Rights Movement as a grandfather describes the things he used to be able to do with his hands when he was younger as well as the things he can still use them to do today. But he also shares what those capable hands were never allowed to do because of the racial prejudices of his day. By joining hands and marching with others, laws and attitudes were changed. His grandson, on the other hand, is the beneficiary of the actions of thos...more
Joseph’s grandfather’s hands can still do so many amazing things. He used to be able to tie knots very quickly, now he helps Joseph learn to tie his shoes. He can play the piano. He can show Joseph how to do a waterfall shuffle with cards. He could pitch a curve ball in his youth, now he can teach Joseph to hit a line drive. But there were things his hands couldn’t do when he was younger. His hands were forbidden to touch the bread dough in the Wonder Bread factory. His hands could touch the bro...more
Joseph’s grandpa is his hero. There is nothing Grandpa can’t do! He can do anything with his hands he wants, except for using them to make bread at the Wonder bread factory. In this story, Joseph’s grandpa shares the story of how he was able to work at the factory as long as he never touched the product because of the color of his skin. Joseph learns that his grandpa, along with others, fought hard to make sure Joseph and his friends would be able to do anything they wanted with their hands incl...more
These Hands by Margaret H. Mason, illustrated by Floyd Cooper gently introduces discrimination and the Civil Rights Movement as Joseph learns, from his grandfather, that people joined their hands together to fight discrimination so that one day, their hands, and Joseph’s hands, could do anything at all in this whole wide world.
Joseph’s Grandpa could do almost anything with his hands: play the piano, throw a curveball, and tie a triple bowline knot fast. But in the 1950s and 60s, he could not ba...more
Joseph’s Grandpa could do almost anything with his hands: play the piano, throw a curveball, and tie a triple bowline knot fast. But in the 1950s and 60s, he could not ba...more
After reading the books these hands, what i got out of it was more like a history lesson. Joseph grandad explains to him although he is able to do a lot things with hands, because of the color of his skin he couldn't do other things with his hands like mix the bread dough or touch the bread dough. I like how he told Joseph that eventhough he couldnt do certain things with his hands, with those same hands, with other hands just like his he was able to sign petitions,carry signs,and lead peaceful...more
Joseph’s grandpa tells the young grandson all the things his hands used to be able to do when he was younger, including tying shoes and playing the piano and shuffling cards and throwing a baseball. Then the grandpa shares with Joseph the story of how black hands were not allowed to handle bread dough in the bread factory when the grandpa was a young man. Grandpa tells how the hands were used to write petitions and work together to change things for black people.
Beautiful, touching pictures, alm...more
Beautiful, touching pictures, alm...more
A beautiful and simple story about segregation. Joseph's grandfather tells him all the things that he used to do and can still do with his hands. Then he tells about working in the Wonder Bread factory but not being allowed to actually make the bread.
This is a fantastic introduction to segregation for young students. The story is clearly and well-told and describes segregation simply but honestly. I recommend this book as a read aloud for K - 1. Older students may also enjoy the selection but w...more
This is a fantastic introduction to segregation for young students. The story is clearly and well-told and describes segregation simply but honestly. I recommend this book as a read aloud for K - 1. Older students may also enjoy the selection but w...more
Let's hear it for another fantastic Michigan author. Wonderful art and a story that addresses the depths of people's desire to avoid contact with African Americans. Black employees not permitted to make bread, black women not allowed to try on hats at Hudson's... but still closes with a hopeful ending. Don't save this book for some kind of Black History Month study. Share it in class RIGHT NOW so students know how important it is to come together as a community from the start.
Also, it's pretty b...more
Also, it's pretty b...more
A grandpa uses his beautiful, weathered hands to teach his grandson how tie his shoes, play the piano, and make bread. Grandpa tells his grandson about the Wonder Bread factory he used to work at. The only work that African-Americans could do at that time was sweep "Because the bosses said white people would not want to eat bread touched by these hands." The grandson learns that he can do anything with his hands.
A touching story of family ties that also conveys a piece of civil rights history. T...more
A touching story of family ties that also conveys a piece of civil rights history. T...more
Synopsis
Joseph's grandfather is very talented with his hands. From tying his shoes, to playing the piano, to hitting a baseball he passes these skills off to his grandson. He also teaches him the most important skill of all, standing up for what you believe in, and fighting discrimination.
Reasons
This is a wonderful story based on true events set int the 50s, and 60s. I'd use this book for any young patron wanting to learn about the discrimination that went on during those times, and for any new...more
Joseph's grandfather is very talented with his hands. From tying his shoes, to playing the piano, to hitting a baseball he passes these skills off to his grandson. He also teaches him the most important skill of all, standing up for what you believe in, and fighting discrimination.
Reasons
This is a wonderful story based on true events set int the 50s, and 60s. I'd use this book for any young patron wanting to learn about the discrimination that went on during those times, and for any new...more
Grandpa tells Joseph of all the things his hands can do, like tying shoes, making the ivories sing, and throwing a curveball. He also tells him of the things his hands were not allowed to do. But his hands joined other hands and now anyone can touch the bread.
This is a gentle introduction to the un-gentle topic of segregation and what it meant in people's daily lives. The repetition of "yes, I can" and the emotional faces and strong hands in Floyd Cooper's soft illustrations keep the tone positi...more
This is a gentle introduction to the un-gentle topic of segregation and what it meant in people's daily lives. The repetition of "yes, I can" and the emotional faces and strong hands in Floyd Cooper's soft illustrations keep the tone positi...more
As a young boy learns all the ways he can use his hands for everyday skills he also learns that there was a time when the Wonder Bread Company would not allow people of color to bake/handle the bread. Of the many PB revealing civil rights/racism history in kid-friendly ways, this one is a very matter-of-fact presentation of the "unwritten" standards that limited and defined opportunities and expectations. Wonderful affirmation at the end- hands now have free choices- is a heartfelt message and n...more
Good intergenerational story about how racism affected the grandfather's life - his hands, capable of doing so many things, were not allowed to touch the bread dough in the Wonder Bread factory because he is African-American. But "these hands joined with other hands. And we wrote our petitions, and we carried our signs, and we raised our voices together. Now any hands can mix the bread dough, no matter their color." Great personal way to have kids relate to the bigotry that was a big part of our...more
While learning from his grandpa how to tie his shoes, play the piano and hit a baseball, Joseph also learns an important story about his grandpa who used to work in the Wonder Bread factory, but couldn’t touch the bread because of the color of his skin. This is an important story that teaches kids to think about what they can do with their hands and they learn a little bit about the Civil Rights movement. Kids of all ages can learn from this book, but I would suggest it especially for those in k...more
A grandfather shares what his hands used to be able to do. . .and can still do. The story takes a historical turn when the grandfather tells his grandson what his hands could not do, until people got together to affect change in existing policies. Floyd Cooper's illustrations are--of course--stunning. We are using THESE HANDS as an anchor text for a inter-textuality experience with a focus on hands before we read OF MICE AND MEN with the English 11 students this year.
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This is a beautiful inter generational story in which a boys grandfather tells him about when he worked in the Wonder Bread factory in the 50s and 60s and could not touch the bread dough. "Factory bosses said white people would not want to eat bread touched by the hands of the African Americans who worked there."
I can see using this story during February for Black History Month or as a read aloud prior to Grandparents Day. It is didactic, but in a good way.
I can see using this story during February for Black History Month or as a read aloud prior to Grandparents Day. It is didactic, but in a good way.
To be honest, I'm not sure that children's picture books are typically evaluated the way other books are. Do picture books portray depth? Some larger message? Some life lesson? This book does! Margaret Mason wrote a fabulous book. Make sure to read the afterword as it explains how the book came about. I thought the illustrations went beautifully with the text - good job Floyd Cooper. This book has a lot of value and hope.
This book is very powerful and well written! It is perfect for a teacher to read to her students right when they are going to learn about the African American Civil Rights Movement. There is so much to be discussed after reading this book. The teacher can ask the students, "Why was his grandpa not allowed to do those things?" She can find out what the students know about segregation and then build on their knowledge.
This was a wonderful book. I really enjoyed the style of writing the author used. I would introduce this book to my students before discussing segregation. A lesson I would do with this topic would be to have everyone write a letter to companies who wouldn't allow blacks to eat or work. As a class we would come up with ideas of how to better treat others and how to make these companies think of a new , equal way of thinking.
An insightful book in which a grandfather teaches his grandsons all of the things he can do with his hands, but also all of the things that he wasn't allowed to do, although the hands were perfectly capable. This is a side of the Civil Rights movement that will make students ponder the ridiculous injustices faced by black people before things changed. Beautifully written and illustrated.
A grandfather shows his grandson all the things he can do with his hands. He then tells the story that he was unable to touch bread dough at the Wonder Bread factory in the 50s and 60s because the company was afraid that white people wouldn't eat bread if it was touched by a black person. Tells of the fight for rights in the 60s. Share with teachers of kids 8 and up
Lovely sepia illustrations; I liked how the artist used a slightly higher focus and more details in the hands and faces than in the backgrounds to highlight them. Nice use of the hands imagery and what hands can do, throughout, I appreciate the focus on what can be done and what can be attempted rather than the reverse. I thought the shifts between the three sections of the book were a little abrupt, and wished for either stronger transitions between them, or for the book to set them apart a lit...more
Floyd Cooper works magic again in this beautifully illustrated story of a grandfather explaining to his grandson that he could do many things like tie a bowline, pitch a baseball and perform magic tricks. But he could not bake bread in the factory. Only because of the color of his skin. Includes historical note.
Once, Grandpa's young hands could throw a mean curve ball, do magic tricks, play the piano, and tie a triple bowline knot. They also signed petitions and carried signs as he fought to end Jim Crow laws that kept him in menial jobs at the bread factory where he swept floors. Though his old hands can no longer perform as well, they can still teach his grandson Joseph skills, and because of the Civil Rights struggle, now Joseph can work bread dough in the factory or do "anything at all in this whol...more
Gentle story of an older relative teaching a boy many skills (tie shoes, play piano) and also how times have changed for Black people who once weren't allowed to make bread in the factory, but now they may. Cooper's illustrations are really special and add extra warmth.
A boy's grandfather teaches him how to shuffle cards, tie his shoes, hit a baseball, and play the piano, but the older man shares that he was not able to bake bread at the Wonder Bread factory years ago because his hands are black. A simple book, which imparts a powerful story.
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