We Are Human Animals

by Rosie Haine

Overview

A resonant reflection on what it means to be human, in the prehistoric past and today.

Since the early days of our history, we have been human animals. Thousands of years ago, in paleolithic times, we got up with the sun each morning. The seasons were our calendar, and everything we ate we picked or caught. Some animals were our friends, and others were our food. We loved to meet and talk and dance and wonder at our world. Centuries and centuries have passed since then. But—even though our world is very different now—we are still human animals like the people before us.

With simple, poetic words and evocative illustrations, this book transports readers to the strangely familiar Stone Age, when our ancestors were shaping what Homo sapiens would become.  We Are Human Animals will spark unforgettable discussions about the history of humanity and the ties that bind us to those who walked the earth long ago.

Chicago Public Library Kids Best of the Best Books List (2023)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802856012
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	03/07/2023
Pages:	52
Product dimensions:	7.50(w) x 9.50(h) x (d)
Lexile:	340L (what's this?)
Age Range:	5 - 9 Years

About the Author

Rosie Haine studied children's book illustration at the Cambridge School of Art, and she has also earned an MA in Globalization, Ethnicity, and Culture from Sussex University. Rosie's research for this book brought her to museums and archaeological sites across the UK and Europe, including Chauvet Cave and the British Museum. She worked closely with archaeologist Ulrike Sommer to ensure that this book reflected human development, history, and artifacts from the Paleolithic Age. Rosie's other books include It Isn't Rude to Be Nude and Hooves or Hands? (both Tate Publishing). She lives in England. Visit Rosie's website at rosiehaine.co.uk and follow her on Instagram at @futureisrosie.

Editorial Reviews

05/29/2023

Through spare prose and digital art consisting of earthy handmade textures, Haine provides a picture of Paleolithic life depicting two children, portrayed with brown skin, cavorting among wild animals including rhinos, a mammoth, and hares. The book goes on to highlight a close relationship with nature: “The seasons were our calendar.” In one spread, hands of different sizes hold a stick, a leaf, an animal tooth, and more (“We knew our world so well”). Later examples touch on the emergence of art and language (“We made up names for all of it.... Every creature, thought, and flower”) before transitioning to a present-day scene that underlines the titular phrase. It’s a straightforwardly wrought introduction to early humans and a reflection on, per an author’s note, how “much of what we did then has made us who we are now.” Ages 5–9. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

04/28/2023

K-Gr 3—In her quest to connect young readers with prehistoric humans, Haine spoke with an archaeologist and visited caves, ultimately developing this contemplative work of nonfiction, which asks readers to reflect on our connections to our early ancestors. The book addresses early human relationships with animals, art, religion, and the development of language and community. Kinetic digital illustrations use handmade textures to emphasize the rough-hewn yet meaningful lives of prehistoric humans. An author's note at the end provides more details on the development of the book and features a number of illustrated examples of prehistoric art. All people featured in the book are European, but have dark skin and eyes, which is historically accurate to how Europeans of 25,000 years ago looked (per the author's note). Given technological and social advancements, humans often forget our basic nature as animals. Here is an excellent reminder of those connections and beyond. VERDICT Hand this book to kids dreaming about cave-dwelling eras, and be prepared to discuss the similarities. A solid choice for most collections.—Kadie Seitz

School Library Journal

★ 2022-11-16
We’re more closely related to our prehistoric ancestors than we realize.

The author opens this intriguing book provocatively—“We are human animals”—to introduce to readers a Paleolithic dark-skinned, dark-eyed family who lived in what’s now France circa 25,000 years ago. In clearly written prose, she supports her proposition that early people’s lifestyles were somewhat comparable to humans’ lives today. For example, this family’s and their neighbors’ lives were governed by the seasons and nature’s cycles; they banded together cooperatively; they were creative and made art and objects; they wondered about their world and used language. Such ideas will resonate with children, who will be fascinated to learn present-day humans are somewhat connected to very long-ago folk—and, in some ways, may still be compared to them. Adults presenting this volume should encourage kids to discuss their ideas about commonalities shared by present-day and prehistoric people and to consider the author’s use of animals to describe humans and whether they believe this word choice is apt. The digital illustrations, enhanced with handmade textures, are colorful and evocative; children will enjoy the realistic, warm scenes of the prehistoric world and appreciate the similarities portrayed between the worlds of then and now. Endpapers feature faces of racially diverse people. Excellent backmatter concludes the book. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A first-rate introduction to paleontology for young readers and a fine conversation sparker. (author’s note, examples of prehistoric artifacts) (Informational picture book. 5-9)

Kirkus Reviews