We’ve Got the Whole World in Our Hands

This gayly colored book invites all the youthful readers to join in and chant this revised spiritual by singing, “We’ve got the whole world in our hands.” The music is probably familiar to many, and a simple music score is included in the back pages for any musical instrument. Rafael Lopez, the adapter and illustrator has connected the world’s children through a colorfully unwinding ball of yarn. The exuberant youngsters dance across the vibrant pages filled with multicolored plants and animals. Following the words of the hymnal, the children are immersed in the elements making up this world, from the oceans to the sky. But best of all, they have one another, are connected to all life on this planet, and everybody rejoices together. The vivid colors with the animated characters that set the scenes for the words add to the tempo of the music. Young readers will dwell over the illustrated figures, anxious to pick out the diverse individuals they recognize. This is a lovely way to view how diversity adds character and flavors life. And through singing along with the jubilant youngsters, the participants will be rewarded with their own delight.