HANDS OF THE RAIN FOREST

Grandmother Lenia lifts the heavy pestle to pound the rice, and the rhythm of the day’s work begins in a tiny Emberá village. As in her previous work, Hands of the Maya: Villagers at Work and Play (2002), Crandell follows the busy hands of the Emberá people. Nimble fingers weave palms for a colorful basket, a lightning-quick throw spears a fish and young boys carve a dugout canoe. The rain forest provides the plants and animals, but only the capable hands of the Emberá can transform these goods into essentials needed for village life. Short vignettes of expressive text paired with clear, detailed photos create a warm look into this indigenous culture. These hands work hard, play joyfully and definitely hold a lot of love. (map, author’s note, glossary) (Informational picture book. 5-8)