Black Hands

★ “Celebratory and reverent; visually dynamic and emotionally resonant….An elegant homage to African American contributions; hand this to everyone you know.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review“Readers will be eager to point out figures like Mae Jemison and Martin Luther King, Jr., and will perhaps be inspired to learn more about others they do not yet know by sight…..An inspiring celebration of how Black hands have always woven essential parts of the American tapestry.” —Booklist“The evocative language, layered illustrations, and purposeful historical framing make this a valuable anchor text for conversations about history, identity, and contribution.” —School Library Journal“Boston Weatherford and Christie present a history, both passionate and sobering, of how the African diaspora has shaped America.” —Publishers Weekly“With graceful, poetic text and striking illustrations, Weatherford and artist Christie trace the contributions of Black people to the growth of the US….an excellent choice to broaden the wealth of patriotic offerings that will be on hand for the nation’s 250th celebration.” —The Bulletin

Carole Boston Weatherford

Carole Boston Weatherford is a two-time NAACP Image Award Winner, an ALA-ALSC Children’s Literature Legacy Award Winner, and the author of Standing in the Need of Prayer, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Winner; Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre, which won the Coretta Scott King Author and Illustrator Awards, a Caldecott Honor, and a Sibert Honor; the Newbery Honor Book Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom; Family Feast!; and many other acclaimed books. She was also named the 2025–2026 Young People’s Poet Laureate. Carole was born in Baltimore, where she now resides.

R. Gregory Christie

R. Gregory Christie has illustrated more than sixty books for young adults and children, including the Caldecott Honor Book Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford and Nana’s New Soul Food. He has also received two New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year Awards, one Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, six Coretta Scott King Honors for illustration, the NAACP Image Award, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award, and the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award. In addition, Greg has designed John Coltrane album covers and animated films on Netflix. He lives and works in the Atlanta area.