We

By Alice Schertle, Kenneth Addison
Paperback: $12.95

Here is the fascinating story of human development, from its beginnings in Africa millions of years ago to modern times.

Description

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.

About the Creators

Alice Schertle

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. Schertle's lifelong interest in human origins and her extensive reading on the subject were the inspiration for this book. She lives in Plainfield, Massachusetts.

Kenneth Addison

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.

Reviews

  • "This is a fascinating story of human development, from its beginnings in Africa millions of years ago to modern day times. It highlights the rich diversity among peoples and the spread of culture, technology, and unique societies."

    - Cleveland Public Library
  • "[A] sweeping picture of civilization."

    - The Horn Book
  • "Award-winning author Alice Schertle presents We, a singularly amazing picture book. . . Illustrated with fantastic color collages by the late Kenneth Addison, We traces not only human achievements, but also human curiosity."

    - Midwest Book Review
  • "With the current evidence, scientists are almost certain that our first human ancestors came from Africa. The evidence - fossils, tools, and other artifacts of the earliest humans and pre-humans - was discovered on the African continent. Alice Schertle takes this compelling evidence and deftly weaves a poetic story of human evolution. . . Kenneth Addison's vivid mixed media collages complement the cadence of Schertle's text that builds on each new discovery or exploration underlying our advancement above and below ground, below the seas, in the skies and space. The story neatly returns to the original African discovery site to show us that making new discoveries and exploring the lives of the first humans is an exciting and continuous process."

    - Language Arts Journal, NCTE

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781620145739
  • Price $12.95
  • Publication Date Apr 01, 2013
  • Trim Size 10.75 × 9 in
  • Weight 0.375 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781584300601
  • Price $16.95
  • Publication Date Apr 01, 2013
  • Trim Size N/A
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Interests

  • Imprint Lee & Low Books
  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JNF / History / Prehistoric
  • BISAC Category 2 JNF / People & Places / General
  • BISAC Category 3 JNF / Diversity & Multicultural
  • Themes African / African American / Black, Asian / Asian American / AAPI, Cultural Diversity, Environment / Nature, Evolution, Exploring Ecosystems, Farming, Geography, History & Civics, Human Impact On Environment / Environmental Sustainability, Immigration, Indigenous / First Nations / Native American, Informational / Expository Nonfiction, Latinx / Latino / Hispanic, Multiple Ethnicities Represented, Muslim, Nature / Science, Nonfiction, Overcoming Obstacles, People In Motion, Persistence / Grit, Photographic Illustrations, Poetry, Responsibility, Similarities and Differences, United States History, Vehicles In Motion
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 6 - 18
  • Grade Range Grades 1 - 12
  • Guided Reading V
  • Spanish Guided Reading S
  • DRA 50
  • Interest Level Grades 1 - 4
  • Lexile Code NP
  • Reading Level Grades 1 - 3
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
  • This Book is Included in These Collections:

    ADA Site Compliance-Accessibility Policy