Author: Kadir Nelson

Author Kadir Nelson sought to capture the joy of living in and engaging with the world which was inspired by the song’s simple message, “he’s got the whole world in his hands.”  If you are looking for a book which most importantly portrays the world as a child might see it — vast and beautiful — this is it.  

Kadir Nelson is able to capture these messages through his pencil, oil, and watercolor illustrations which bring new meaning and life to the simple text.  

Developed through one of America’s best-known songs, we now see Kadir Nelson’s book which perfectly captures warm images of a boy and his family through connectedness of people and nature.  With each page turn and new verse, Nelson’s interpretations of the lyrics stir readers’ imagination.

Here we see “He’s got my brothers and sisters in His hands” and the young boy holding his painting of his brothers and sisters.  We can see that these people are of all different races and skin tones and STILL OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS!  This simple, repetitious flow of words doubles as a perfect read-aloud choice and sing-along.