Moví la mano / I Moved My Hand

Moví la mano / I Moved My Hand

Written by: Luján, Jorge
Illustrated by: Sadat, Mandana
Translated by: Amado, Elisa
ages 3 and up / grades P and up

A simple but empowering poem about creating a world, told from a young child's perspective.

When a little girl moves her hand, she changes the world as she discovers it. As she moves her known world she discovers her own power and creates everything anew.

The poem, written by Argentine poet Jorge Luján, comes from a culture saturated with magic in which even the very young can make the world by reaching out and moving it. Mandana Sadat’s imaginative illustrations deepen and enrich the text. Movi la mano / I Moved My Hand is a special contribution to the world of children’s books for the very young (and the not so young).

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.4
Describe how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.

A simple but empowering poem about creating a world, told from a young child's perspective.

When a little girl moves her hand, she changes the world as she discovers it. As she moves her known world she discovers her own power and creates everything anew.

The poem, written by Argentine poet Jorge Luján, comes from a culture saturated with magic in which even the very young can make the world by reaching out and moving it. Mandana Sadat’s imaginative illustrations deepen and enrich the text. Movi la mano / I Moved My Hand is a special contribution to the world of children’s books for the very young (and the not so young).

Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.4
Describe how words and phrases (e.g., regular beats, alliteration, rhymes, repeated lines) supply rhythm and meaning in a story, poem, or song.

Published By Groundwood Books Ltd — Sep 24, 2014
Specifications 32 pages | 9.5 in x 9.5 in
Written By

JORGE LUJÁN is an author, poet and musician. His body of work, translated into eighteen languages, includes Stephen and the Beetle, illustrated by Chiara Carrer; Doggy Slippers and Numeralia, illustrated by Isol; Colors! ¡Colores!, illustrated by Piet Grobler; and Moví la mano / I Moved My Hand, illustrated by Mandana Sadat. He has won the Premio de Poesía para Niños de ALIJA, and has been nominated for the 2024 Hans Christian Andersen Award and nominated eight times for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. He lives in Mexico.

Illustrated by

MANDANA SADAT is an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books who lives near Paris. She has a diploma in illustration from L’École supérieure des arts décoratifs de Strasbourg and has published many books in Europe, Asia, North America and South America, including Mon lion (Prix France Télévisions) and Tarde de invierno (Premio CANIEM). She has exhibited her art in New York and Italy, including three times at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

Written By

JORGE LUJÁN is an author, poet and musician. His body of work, translated into eighteen languages, includes Stephen and the Beetle, illustrated by Chiara Carrer; Doggy Slippers and Numeralia, illustrated by Isol; Colors! ¡Colores!, illustrated by Piet Grobler; and Moví la mano / I Moved My Hand, illustrated by Mandana Sadat. He has won the Premio de Poesía para Niños de ALIJA, and has been nominated for the 2024 Hans Christian Andersen Award and nominated eight times for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. He lives in Mexico.

Illustrated by

MANDANA SADAT is an award-winning author and illustrator of children’s books who lives near Paris. She has a diploma in illustration from L’École supérieure des arts décoratifs de Strasbourg and has published many books in Europe, Asia, North America and South America, including Mon lion (Prix France Télévisions) and Tarde de invierno (Premio CANIEM). She has exhibited her art in New York and Italy, including three times at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

Audience ages 3 and up / grades P and up
Reading Levels Lexile AD240L
Reading Recovery 9
Guided Reading F
Common Core CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.2.4

Commended, Tejas Star Reading List, 2015

“The girl's creativity and imagination aren’t merely flights of fancy, but forces with legitimate power.” —Publishers Weekly

“A tutu-clad child encounters existentialism through movement in this poem by award-winning Argentine poet Lujan.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A simple but profound picture book about the power a child has to create her own special world through movement, imagination, and magic.” —CM Magazine

“The girl’s giddy logic rings true; the marvelous use of color and expert pacing propel the dance. Sure to inspire fresh flights of fancy!” —School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

“A dreamy paean to creative expression.” —Booklist