We - Hardcover

ALICE SCHERTLE has written numerous children’s books, many of which have received starred reviews, “notables” citations, and “best books” awards. She has always been fascinated by the subject of human origins, and the idea for this book came from reading about this subject in detail. Schertle lives in Plainfield, Massachusetts. KENNETH ADDISON was a full-time visual artist and art educator. He studied at City College, San Francisco, and the California College of Art. His distinctive collage artwork incorporated scraps of metal, magazine clippings, batik processed Japanese paper, oil pastels, and more. Addison was drawn to this book by his love of history and curiosity about how human societies came into existence. He passed away in 2005, shortly after finishing the illustrations for We. This is his only children’s book.

ALICE SCHERTLE has written numerous children’s books, many of which have received starred reviews, “notables” citations, and “best books” awards. She has always been fascinated by the subject of human origins, and the idea for this book came from reading about this subject in detail. Schertle lives in Plainfield, Massachusetts.

Grade 2-5–Schertle takes readers on a journey that tracks the origins of humans in Africa, their evolution into intelligent beings, and their spread throughout the world. In poetic text she describes their many deeds, from building cities to developing weapons with the power to destroy them; from making the stuff of everyday life such as donuts and bicycle pumps and umbrellas to creating art and music and literature; from plumbing the depths of the oceans to exploring the outer reaches of space. The brief text is superimposed on the mixed-media collage illustrations, and together they bring this story of human evolution to life. Often divided into striking narrow panels, the collages move across the spreads much as humans moved across the planet, revealing their diversity and enormous accomplishments. Greek and Mayan temples as well as a mosque and churches depict places of worship. Arts of the East and West and structures from around the world are represented. Fascinating juxtapositions abound: Playbills and the Broadway half-price TKTS booth alongside a medieval woman reading; ancient cliff dwellings above overwhelmingly crowded city streets; a baseball player on a jungle background. It was so long ago and we had come so far from home, concludes Schertle, and so she brings her story full circle, taking readers once again to Africa where scientists are seeking answers in the bones they uncover. Although the lyrical account does not adequately convey the fact that human evolution took place over millions of years, it may serve as a jumping-off point for youngsters who will find more information from the Web sites and bibliography provided.–Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT
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