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!
Wander, Ponder, Write 