In the Hollow of Your Hand: Slave Lullabies [Paperback]

Alice McGill (Author), Michael Cummings (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 25, 2000

Slave lullabies, created from the African-American experience, were sung to give hope for a better time to come. Although these lullabies were born of hardship and overwhelming sadness, they can be thought of as musical stories for children and adults. By turns soothing, playful, empowering, and bittersweet, the songs convey the love of parents for children.
Since childhood, Alice McGill has been collecting and singing these lullabies. Here they are preserved along with vibrant quilt collages and a CD recording of each song, introduced and sung by McGill. Her voice is rich and resonant, adding yet another dimension to these moving pieces of oral history. This beautiful package of lullabies, artwork, and personal history invites readers of all ages to sing along and remember the powerful words and melodies of a people struggling to survive.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Gr. 5-7, younger and older for reading aloud. Part of the oral tradition, this moving collection of 13 folk lullabies is a powerful way to communicate what family life was like under slavery. McGill collected the songs firsthand, and after each lullaby she talks about the people who sang to her as a child, where they heard the songs, and how they were passed on through the generations. The love and hope are here as are the anguish of separation and the nonsense ("Joe went to de pig pen. Slipped an' he fell in"). Opposite each song is a handsome full-page quilt collage contributed by Michael Cummings, which poignantly illustrates what McGill says about slave mothers saving "Every Little Bit." There's full musical notation at the back, and a CD of the songs, sung by McGill, is included. The people's words are achingly beautiful, and the combination with history and personal experience makes this an enduring collection. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"From the opening guitar notes that accompany McGill’s sweet, assured voice, listeners will know they’re in for a treat." —Publishers Weekly, starred review (10/9/00) Publishers Weekly

"This wonderful book and CD combination is truly a treasure for all ages." —Book Page 9/00

"Sing these songs with younger children or explore them more deeply with an older crowd. Both will result in a rewarding experience." —SLJ 12/00 School Library Journal

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children; 1st ed edition (September 25, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0395857554
• ISBN-13: 978-0395857557
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 9.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,664,281 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My baby loves it, April 20, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: In the Hollow of Your Hand: Slave Lullabies (Paperback)

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars Must have resource, April 1, 2008

By 

John A. Stoffel (Huntington, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: In the Hollow of Your Hand Book & Cassette: Slave Lullabies (Carry Along Book & Cassette Favorites) (Paperback)

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully done, January 29, 2008

By 

French "Baker" (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: In the Hollow of Your Hand Book & Cassette: Slave Lullabies (Carry Along Book & Cassette Favorites) (Paperback)

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.