Common Sense Media Review
By Regan McMahon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Breezy bio traces Harris' life in activism, public service.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
KAMALA RAISED HER HAND is a picture book biography that highlights some basics of Vice President Kamala Harris' life story and career as a lawyer and elected official. It starts with her immigrant parents (her dad from Jamaica and her mom from India) taking her to civil rights protests when she was still in a stroller. It shows that she has kept fighting for justice throughout her life, noting how she continually "raised her hand" when it was time to take a stand, take action, and take responsibility as an elected official.
Is It Any Good?
This breezy biography hits the known highlights of Kamala Harris' life from kid activist to lawyer, politician, and ultimately vice president of the United States and 2024 candidate for president. Kamala Raised Her Hand uses the hand metaphor to indicate how she boldly took a stand on issues she supported, became an activist, ran for office, and got elected to various high-level roles.
It may be challenging for young picture book readers to understand vocabulary and concepts like "attorney general" and "senator," or to grasp why on one page she stands before a judge and proudly says, "Kamala Harris, for the people," the courtroom language of a prosecutor. Adult readers can fill in the blanks for little ones, if they know her biographical details, and can identify images of Kamala with unnamed colleagues like presidents Joe Biden and Barrack Obama, but kids might be a bit lost.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about all the times Kamala Harris stands up for what she believes in, in Kamala Raised Her Hand. How does "raising her hand" mean taking action?
What do kids get to vote on sometimes? Have you ever voted for something you wanted to do, at home or at school or on a team? What happened?
Why is it important for citizens to vote in elections?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Supriya Kelkar
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Activism , History
- Character Strengths : Communication , Courage , Perseverance
- Book type : Non-Fiction
- Publisher : Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : October 29, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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