We 
By Alice Schertle
Illustrated by Kenneth Addison
9781584300601
We cooled our feet and our throats in the river
and ate what we could catch or find
in Africa
And we changed slowly
as the river-washed stones grew smooth as moons.
Here is the fascinating story of human development, from its beginnings in Africa millions of years ago to modern times. In spare, lyrical verse Alice Schertle highlights the emergence of rich diversity among peoples and the spread of culture, technology and extraordinary societies.
With vibrant collage illustrations by Kenneth Addison, this book provides readers with a remarkable glimpse into the ever-evolving history of our human community.
- Awards
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Children's Books of the Year
Bank Street College Children's Book Committee
Celebrate with Books
Cleveland Public Library
Myers Outstanding Book Award
Honorable Mention
Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Bigotry and Human Rights in North America
"Starred Review"
Publishers Weekly
- Interest Level
- Grades 1 - 4
- Reading Level
- Grades 1 - 3
- Themes
- African/African American Interest, Environment/Nature, Evolution, Multiethnic interest, Poetry
- Publishers Weekly
- Booklist
- Kirkus Reviews
- School Library Journal
- Ohio State Univ.
- Midwest Book Review
- PaperTigers
- Poetry for Children
- Carthage College
- Horn Book Guide
- Multicultural Review
- Language Arts
- Curriculum Connections
- Library Media Connections
- Yellow Brick Road
- Through the Looking Glass
- Cleveland Public Library
Alice Schertle has written numerous books and poems for children. Among her most popular works are Down the Road, an ALA Notable Children's Book, and All You Need for a Snowman, winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award. She lives in Plainfield, Massachusetts.
Kenneth Addison was a full-time visual artist and art educator. His distinctive fine art collages focus on African American life and culture and incorporate fabrics, batik-processed Japanese papers, oil pastels, and more. Addison was drawn to this book by his love of history and his curiosity about how human societies came into existence. He passed away in 2005, shortly after finishing the illustrations for We.
