Picture Books

My Hands Tell a Story

Written by Kelly Starling Lyons and illustrated by Tonya Engel. My Hands Tell a Story is about a little girl who becomes transported by the tales her grandmother’s hands tell, while baking bread with her. Tales that spring from the rose-painted nails, a flower-banded wedding ring, and the way her fingers move and glide, show just how these hands have many tales to tell, but only if you listen.

This best seller is an impactful tale that honors family and self-love. It beautifully shows how you carry memories within yourself that are meant to be shared with your loved ones. Children will discover that their own hands have the power to shape the start of their life story, and for generations to come!

FOR ALL AGES | Meaningful and loved by every generation

INSPIRATIONAL | Learn how impactful your memories have on you and your family

AWARD WINNING | NCTE 2023 Charlotte Huck Award Recommendation for Outstanding Fiction for Children Recommended Book, and New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2022

REYCRAFT BOOKS | Authentic stories and illustrations reflecting the voice and vision of children

School Library Journal Starred Review
Publishers Weekly Starred Review
BCALA Best of the Best Booklist
Charlotte Huck Award Recommended Book for Outstanding Fiction for Children
New York Public Library Best Books for Kids

Educator Guide

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Book Trailer

‘My Hands Tell a Story,’ written by Kelly Starling Lyons and illustrated by Tonya Engel is about a little girl who becomes transported by the stories in her grandmother’s hands. What stories does she discover?

Picture Books

What readers say:

This award-winning book is adorned with rich, lush illustrations that follow a loving family coming together for a reunion. The sense of pride among the family members is almost palpable as they commemorate all that they have accomplished and have to be grateful for. This is a truly beautiful story on many levels.

— LibraryMom

Going Down Home with Daddy

I LOVE this book and so did my students. I read this story for my school’s Black History Month read-a-thon. All the students asked if I could read it again and some of the teachers were emotional towards the end of the story. Beautiful story!

— Zakiah S Baker

Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice and Sing Inspired Generations

This was a beautiful story about a beautiful person. Very inspirational.

— Andre Vega

Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon

Great book about a little girl spending the day with her grandmother and baking cinnamon bread together. Zoe, the little girl, tells readers that her grandmother’s hands have a lot of stories to tell, and she wonders what stories her own hands will tell. There’s a recipe for cinnamon bread at the end of the book – definitely worth a try if you like cinnamon bread!

— NC Mom

My Hands Tell a Story

I listened to the author read this book aloud and it was such a delightful experience. The writing and illustration are both so lovely and the story comes to a heartwarming conclusion. Five stars!

— L. Kline

Tiara’s Hat Parade

This story takes place in the reconstruction period after slavery had been abolished. Before this time Ellen’s parents were not allowed to marry, and so they like many others participated in ceremony where they jumped over the broom together into marriage. I really enjoyed this book and it would be a perfect pairing for teaching kids about this time period in American history. Even though the illustrations for this book were honored, I think the story itself is wonderful too. I think an appropriate age range for this book would be 5-7 years old.

— Heather Dawson

Ellen’s Broom

I liked how Kelly has given an historical depiction of slavery from a child’s point of view.

— DSmith

Hope’s Gift

The illustrations are vivid and eye-catching and show great details that move the story’s tension forward as well as show off-stage humorous happenings (see prehistoric frog as the story unfolds). The text makes fun read aloud material with repeating text to get listeners involved with the story.

— Danielle

One More Dino on the Floor

Beautifully illustrated with a story to match. The simplicity and power of the prose makes this book a winner for parents and children. My chest swells with pride every time I read it, just like I felt watching the Million Man March! Well done!

— Dawn Blagrove

One Million Men and Me

My 6-year-old daughter who is Asian American read this book and loved it! It reminded her of her grandmother who tells stories of the past and loves to cook for her. I enjoyed how the recipe is a part of the narrative and we, as readers, can relive Grandma Honey’s legacy by baking the teacakes ourselves. Great story to be shared for both children AND adults.

— Young Haas

Tea Cakes for Tosh