Children of all ages are invited to a bright and colorful multicultural celebration with We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands ! Award-winning illustrator Rafael López brings new life with his adaptation of "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands," saluting the lives of all young people. The rhythmic verse and repetitive emphasis on "we" and "our" encourages inclusive communities and the celebration of unity and diverse friendships all around the world. "We've got you and you got me in our hands.We have the whole world in our hands." Come and read along and sing along as we celebrate the magic of unity. From the rivers to the mountains to the oceans and to the sea -- we've got the whole world in our hands. As an added bonus the sheet music is included in the back of the book for piano, guitar, and recorder for classroom, library, and home sing-alongs. PreS-Gr 1-A beloved spiritual gets an imaginative and anthropocentric rendering in this vibrant picture book celebrating unity. The story opens with a little girl finding a colorful ball of yarn. She hugs it and then throws a thread in the air and starts to follow it. In each successive page, readers see various children as the thread winds its way through the scenes. The children march from sunny deserts to rainy pastures with the lyrics at the top of the pages. Different people and landscapes are introduced in addition to a wide variety of animals. Eventually, this multicolored ball of yarn morphs into a gorgeous hot-air balloon that resembles the globe. The balloon basket is replete with several of the children and animals readers have met along the way, and they are smiling as the book ends with the song's refrain. The conclusion that Earth is a beautiful and multihued place and we are all a part of it is unmistakable. López adeptly brings these modified lyrics to life in an approachable and engaging way for a young audience. The book includes a musical score, a brief history of the song, and a very interesting paragraph on how López creates his art. VERDICT This is an ideal choice for storytime or classroom reading. A must-purchase for most collections.-Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, MIα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Praise for We've Got the Whole World in Our Hands : "This unconventional interpretation of the classic song finds a modern application with joyful illustrations that send a message of hope and power to today's children. . . A beautiful vision of a global community." -- Kirkus "Earnest and openhearted." -- Publishers Weekly "A beloved spiritual gets an imaginative and anthropocentric rendering in this vibrant picture book celebrating unity... This is an ideal choice for storytime or classroom reading." -- School Library Journal Praise for Bravo! Poems about Amazing Hispanics by Margarita Engle: * "López's artwork -- created with acrylic on wood, pen and ink, watercolor, construction paper, and Adobe Photoshop -- captures the essence of each figure. The format allows the reader to linger and reflect on each spread, strengthening visual literacy and reinforcing the belief that poetry is art -- and it is meant to be savored." -- School Library Journal , starred review Praise for Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music by Margarita Engle: * "López's zinging, neon-tinged art highlights the island's diversity, depicting the drum girl's flights of fancy set against the backdrop of carnival scenes and outdoor cafes. Details of Cuba's and the protagonist's Chinese, African, Taíno, and Spanish roots are seamlessly interwoven into the lyrical narrative and luminous acrylic paintings." -- School Library Journal , starred reviewPura Belpré Medal Illustration 2016Andrew Carnegie Medal 2017Charlotte Zolotow Medal 2016 School Library Journal Best Books List 2015New York Public Library 100 Notable Titles List 2015 Huffington Post Most Inspirational Picture Book 2015Asian Pacific America Award Honor 2016Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People 2016 Read, sing, and celebrate the joy of togetherness! We've got you and you got me in our hands. We have the whole world in our hands. In the sun, rain, wind, or snow, we've got the whole world in our hands. Over the mountains and oc Rafael López uses his hands and imagination to create award-winning children's books and murals around the world. He has been awarded the Pura Belpré medal from the American Library Association two times, for Drum Dream Girl and Book Fiesta . Born and raised in Mexico City to architect parents, Rafael grew up immersed in the rich visual heritage, vivid color, music, and surrealism of his native culture. He enjoys working hand in hand with children, librarians, and teachers to paint community-based murals in neighborhoods. Rafael divides his time and collects ideas in his studios in colonial San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and downtown San Diego, Califor