In the Hollow of Your Hand: Slave Lullabies [With CD]

by Alice McGill

Book Overview

Since childhood, Alice McGill has been collecting and singing these lullabies. Here they are preserved along with Michael Cummings's vibrant quilt collages, inviting us to remember the powerful words... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0395857554
• ISBN13: 9780395857557
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 10.0" x 10.2"
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Must have resource

This is a must have resource for teachers of African-American history, specifically the time period known as "the misery days." The music provided on the CD, along with the storytelling introductions, captures my elementary students' attention year after year. Nothing conveys a message like song, and Alice McGill delivers a message of courage, hope, and a life without fear.

Beautifully done

The original music and the creative fabric art work combined have made this a delightful introduction to this newcomer to eastern North CArolina. I have given away 4 of the same books to other residents of Scotland Neckbecause I think that the book reflects the heritage and customs of this particular culture. It is a book that deserves wide-spread use to the children and residents in the Tillery and Halifax County area of NC.

Unique

These African-American slave songs tell the stories passed down through oral traditions. Each illustration is a fabric collage illustration, which is quite beautiful. I only knew one of the dozen songs. A sound CD accompanies the book. The author tells her personal connection to each song after presenting each song's words. The music is in the back.

Slave Lullabies

Alice McGill is a real historian. I treasure not only the songs but her stories that go with them. Her voice is soothing and warm. My 2 year old granddaughter begs for Alice McGill when I pick her up from daycare. My cassette goes from car to house many times so we can listen to it over and over. Thank you, Alice, for sharing your history, stories and songs with all of us. I'm ordering this on CD to give to Julia, my granddaughter, and all of your other books, too.

My baby loves it

Whenever I put the CD on, my baby pauses from whatever she is doing, captivated by McGill's lovely, rich voice. The CD is a permanent fixture in our CD changer, so I have gradually picked up all the songs. "Who Dat Tappin'" and "Dip-Dap Dudio" are playful chants that will always get a laugh from baby, even if you can't carry a tune. With the help of the book, which contains both printed lyrics and sheet music, I have memorized "Liddy Lay Low" to sing at naptime and bedtime. When my daughter is a little older, I am sure we will look at the beautiful illustrations together and I will teach her rhymes such as "Rock de Cradle, Joe." School-age children might want to use the collection as the basis for an American history project, and kids who are studying a musical instrument will enjoy picking out the tunes.