• Age: 5 to 8
• Grade: 1 to 3
• Reading age: 3 to 5

Nina can’t convince her Lolo to take her fishing with him on his old banca boat. Lolo’s reply is the same as always: “A boat is no place for a girl.” When Nina promises to bait her own hook and remove her own catch, her grandfather finally relents “just for today.” Much to the amusement of the other fishermen in their village, lolo shows Nina how to jig the lines, to set the hook, and to pull in a fish, hand over hand. But no one is laughing when Nina brings in the biggest fish of the day!

Alma Fullerton is an award winning author- author/illustrator. She lives in NorthLake PEI with her husband, and dog. Born in Ontario Canada, she grew up in a large military family and has lived in in Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Germany. Alma struggled with reading and memorized most things until the age of nine when, with the help of her grade four teacher, she realized she had dyslexia. By grade nine Alma loved reading. Besides writing and illustrating Alma now works in schools as an educational assistant who helps children with learning disabilities figure out the best way for them to learn.

Her books have been nominated and/or have won awards including the Governor General Finalist 2008, TD Canadian Children's Literature Award finalist 2009 & 2011 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award winner 2009, CLA Children's Book of the Year Honor Book 2009, 2011 Golden Oak Award winner 2009, Once Upon a World Children's Book Award Winner - 2009, Manitoba Young Readers' Choice Award shortlist - 2010, SilverBirch Award shortlist -2010, 2014, Silver Birch Express 2023, Blue Spruce Award 2014 & 2016, 2022, Kentucky BlueGrass Award 2015 and the 2016 Marilyn Baillie picture book award.

Alma Fullerton's profile page

Renné Benoit is living her childhood dream of being an artist. Trained in graphic design, she is the award-winning illustrator of more than 15 books for children. Her awards include the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Award for Children's Literature for Proud as a Peacock, Brave as a Lion; the OLA Silver Birch Express Award for The Secret of the Village Fool; and the Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize for both Fraser Bear and Goodbye to Griffith Street. The latter was also nominated for the Amelia Frances Howard Gibbon Award. Big City Bees was nominated for the Governor General's Literary Award for Children's Illustration, and A Year of Borrowed Men was a finalist for the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, among others. Renné lives in St. Thomas, Ontario.

 

Renné Benoit's profile page

• Commended, Amelia Bloomer Project Top Ten Feminist Books for Young Readers
• Commended, Canadian Children's Book Centre's Best Books for Kids and Teens - Fall 2017

Not only does Hand Over Hand depict a young girl successfully pushing against gender role expectations, Nina and Lolo’s loving relationship shows just how much can be accomplished through trust and patience.... A gently compelling story, Hand Over Hand is highly recommended for readers of all ages and is especially well-suited to being read aloud.

National Reading Campaign

An original and consistently entertaining story by Alma Fullerton that is colorfully and charmingly illustrated by Renné Benoit, "Hand Over Hand" is especially recommended for children ages 5 to 8 and will prove to be an enduringly popular addition to family, elementary school, and community library picture book collections.

Midwest Book Review

The gentle text pairs well with the equally gentle watercolor illustrations, bringing to life a quiet Filipino fishing village. This aesthetic works flawlessly with the overall theme of “hand over hand,” that patience and persistence will quietly guide readers to achieve their goals.

School Library Journal

In this deceptively complex 24-page book, Fullerton has filled her simple words, repeated phrases, and clear dialogue with the possibility for many interpretations. Children can achieve their goals. Girls can do anything they set their minds to. Be self-sufficient, but don’t be afraid to ask for help. Finish what you start. Don’t give up. Children and adults alike will be able to choose the message that speaks to them, and one surely will.... Hand Over Hand is a perfect read-aloud book for groups of younger children. The illustrations are uncomplicated but still eye-catching, the text is poetic, and the book truly has something to say.

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

An excellent story set in the Philippines that speaks to every child about personal achievement.

Resource Links

Alma Fullerton's free verse brings this heartwarming tale to life... a wonderful addition to any diverse book collection.

Canadian Children's Book News

Hand Over Hand is a story of empowerment and determination when faced with naysayers and traditions that keep opportunities at bay. Alma Fullerton’s simple story is loaded with lessons in seeing beyond gender, of courage to take on new struggles, both emotional and physical, and of the amazing things that can be accomplished with a supportive hand.

CanLit for Little Canadians

Fullerton presents a vignette of traditional Filipino culture with a modern twist. Sounds of the sea and the boat's movements, repetition of the title phrase, sharp descriptive phrases, and simple dialogue, all in a gentle, unhurried third-person narrative, lovingly evoke the setting and the tender intergenerational relationship. Benoit's watercolor illustrations beautifully capture the look of the islands with color and softly defined details. Love between Nina and old Lolo shines in their body language and expressions. A sweet tale that is both culturally specific and universal.

Kirkus Reviews