PPBF – LEFTY: A Story That Is Not All Right

Hoping to start the year off on the right foot (pun intended), I’m thrilled to share a newly-published Perfect Picture Book by two well-known creators.

Title: LEFTY: A Story That Is Not All Right

Written By: Mo Willems

Illustrated By: Dan Santat

Publisher/Date: Union Square Kids/2024

Suitable for Ages: 4-8

Themes/Topics: left-handed, self-esteem, feeling different, humor, history, discrimination, non-fiction

Opening:

“Hi, Righty!”

“Did you know…there was a time when people could get into trouble…really, really BIG trouble -”

“For what, Lefty?”

Brief Synopsis: The history of left-handedness, told by two hands.

Links to Resources:

• Check out these fun activities;
• Discover more facts about being left-handed;
• Do you draw or write with your left hand or with your right hand? Or are you ambidextrous and use both hands? Take a poll by asking your classmates, friends, or neighbors which hand they use. Keep track of the total number of people asked and the total number of people who are left-handed. Are there more left-handed or right-handed people?

Why I Like this Book:

When I saw the title, cover illustration, and the names of the author and illustrator of today’s Perfect Picture Book, I knew it would be funny. I didn’t realize, though, that in addition to humor, it would be filled with facts about something many of us (especially those of us who are right-handed) take for granted: the hand we use to complete tasks.

I love how this talented duo weave these facts and a positive message that it’s ok to be part of a minority community into this fast-paced, dialogue-rich picture book. For anyone making Caldecott predictions, I have to believe LEFTY is a contender with Santat’s combination of photos, digital illustrations, brown and black sketches, and more.

Willems cleverly starts this tale with dialogue between a left hand and a right hand. I’m not sure if it’s correct to call it anthropomorphizing, but I can’t recall another picture book featuring hands as the main characters (or even secondary characters, for that matter). Nor have I seen any that include photos of hands with eyes wearing glasses set on a stage like puppets.

For care givers looking for a picture book to reassure kids that it’s ok to be different, for anyone looking to learn more about being left- or right-handed, or for anyone wanting to start the year with a funny and punny picture book, I highly recommend LEFTY.

A Note about Craft:

Picture book magic occurs when an illustrator adds layers to a creator’s text. In this case, both creators are well-known, award-winning author-illustrators. Reading and rereading LEFTY, I can’t help wonder who first envisioned this book, who came up with the idea of setting the story on a stage, and even whose hands appear in the photographs. And the pairing of a left-handed illustrator with a right-handed author is pure genius.

This Perfect Picture Book entry is being added to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book list. Check out the other great picture books featured there!