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We

Review
By Booklist

Nothing less than the whole history of humankind in all its diversity is the subject of this handsome, large picture book, which begins with the evolution of humans in Africa over millions of years then moves across time and space up to today. Spare poetry and handsome mixed-media collages in dramatic double-page spreads show and tell the big sweep of history, from early species learning to walk upright to humans crossing the ocean, as well as the exciting details of cultures across the globe. Whether it is engineering now (‘We made elevators… and mouse pads’) or the arts (‘We made music / we drew pictures and carved statues / we wrote poems and plays and books’), the story is about the diffusion of cultures and the rich connections. With the final page showing scientists today returning to examine the bones of the earliest humans on-site, this is a good starting point for discussion about recent exciting discoveries of our human ancestors and the meaning of home.