Left-Handed : Getting a Grip on Handedness

A cross-disciplinary look at the history, mystery, and facts of left-handedness

Most of us define ourselves as lefties or righties based on the hand we use for writing. But what makes people prefer one hand over the other? And what if handedness doesn’t tell the whole story? Do we also favor one eye, one ear, or one foot? What about people who use different hands for different activities?

That’s where this book comes in. It examines all things lefty―from handedness in our ancient ancestors to lefty myths to current theories about the roles of genetics, environment, and brain structure. It also tackles intriguing questions: Why and when does someone become a lefty? Are humans the only left-handed animals? And what is it like to live a left-handed life in a right-handed world?

With a blend of pop culture, sports, history, and STEM, this middle-grade nonfiction book tackles these questions and more, while celebrating the traits that make us unique, no matter which hand we use.

Author MARIA BIRMINGHAM is a longstanding contributor to OWL and Chickadee magazines, and the award-winning author of several books for young people, including Chomp-O-Rama, Snooze-O-Rama, Acting Wild, Odd Couples, and Biometrics. Maria lives in Brampton, Ontario.

CATHERINE CHAN is a Toronto-based illustrator with a previous life in project management and technology. Her kids inspired her to pursue her second career in illustration, and she is passionate about humanizing stories and connecting people through her illustrations.