BETWEEN MY HANDS

With the help of her neighbors, a South Asian girl finds meaning in the word namaste.

It’s a hot day, and Maya is missing her grandfather, who’s in India but who always has ideas to chase away boredom. Maya remembers a question he once asked her: “What’s between your hands when you namaste the world?” Before Maya can think too hard about her answer, her neighbor Mrs. Jones asks for her assistance retrieving her cat from a bush. After helping Mrs. Jones, Maya poses her grandfather’s questions to those she encounters. An artist responds with truth. Maya’s babysitter, returning from a protest, says that there’s justice between her hands. And Maya’s dance teacher, who stops by on her way to serve food at a nearby shelter, replies with mercy. Mrs. Jones periodically interrupts, asking for more help; by story’s end, Maya realizes that between her hands, there is love. And no matter how small Maya’s hands may feel, she knows love gives her plenty of big things to do. Though at times the text feels preachy, Perkins conveys a meaningful message. She seamlessly interweaves multiple storylines in just a few words, telling a layered tale using simple, child-friendly language, aided by Selvanathan’s vibrant, detailed illustrations, which push the narrative forward. Close-ups of Maya’s diverse friends and neighbors, set against swirling backgrounds, infuse them with a warm glow.

Proof that even the smallest hands can wield giant power.