Many Hands: A Penobscot Indian Story

by Angeli Perrow, Heather Austin (Illustrator)

Why does everyone keep telling Lily that many hands make the basket? Didn't she make the basket with her very own hands? It is the most beautiful basket of her 10-year-old life and no one will give her the credit she deserves. In the end, she learns a valuable lesson about pride and the spirit of community. Into the story is woven the process of basket making and a Wabanaki animal legend, as well as some words of the Penobscot language.

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2010

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like to read this Penobscot tale to my students when discussing how to work for the good of the group. "Many Hands", teaches us that everyone has an important role to play in a community. One person's work should not be valued over another when working toward a common goal.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great follow up to our Colby Museum Wabanaki arts exhibit trip. My 4th graders had an aha moment halfway through the story- we were all pleasantly surprised at the lesson here. Great to find beautiful authentic resources set in present-day for use in teaching about indigenous people- and to just practice great storytelling with a powerful message. #Penobscot #Wabanaki

[Alissah Paquette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The illustrations were beautiful.

[Samantha Grimaldi]

This is a great book for use with a multicultural unit in the classroom. It explores Native American culture and basket weaving. It also reflects a little on loss and how to cope with it.