Beautiful collage-style artwork illustrates this general introduction to evolution. Starting by setting the location, and an impression of lengthy time, humanoids are pictured changing from hairy animals squatting by the river, gradually standing upright, learning each time we come to something that stops us: the sea, cold northern lands. The impression given is not so much a justified dominion over nature, but understanding and appreciation the gifts available "speed of horses, the patience of oxen, the endurance of camels, the strength of elephants"
A negative for me is that at least 1/3 of the book is the things we made with little recognition of how we have overstepped and are now destroying the very earth that sustained us. This is balanced by the last pages "And some of us returned to the water-carved canyon to find our bones. But we had forgotten..."
I highly recommend this as a thought-provoking beginning of discussion with your children. Agreed that picture-book age is too young for much discussion, but it can be returned to as a child grows and wonders. ( )

Summary: This book discusses human evolution starting with all of us coming from one place in Africa. From the ground we came into monkey like creatures who were now smarter and could use or hands and feet. We started to walk around and explore other areas around Africa. Eventually, when we hit water boats had to be made in order to cross the water. We then started to build houses and use animals for work. We made wars, churches, music and writing. We made everyday items including benches, beds, bikes and many more. Then, we made different ways of transportation. We traveled to the water, into our bodies and into space.Through all of these findings and creations, we forgot our roots in Africa.

Argument: I really liked the concept this book was trying to get out which was the concept of evolution and how all humans came from the same place but something didn't click with me when reading it. I thought some of the ways the author was explaining were worded weird. I also was not a fan of the illustrations, I thought the illustrator could have done them more kid-friendly in order to appeal more to children. I think evolution is also a very deep concept for a children's book so I understand that it is hard to reach. The author did bring up good points and really walked through important times and discoveries in human evolution. I also think this is a slightly controversial book. Some people do not believe in evolution or that all humans came from the same place in Africa. If using this book, I think giving alternative views or explanations would be very beneficial for the children. ( )

Visual poetry taking us from the beginnings of human creatures in Africa through the evolution of homo sapiens and ending up back in Africa as paleontologists. From standing upright, to building boats, to building shelters, farming, harnessing the speed and power of animals, to exploring the rest of the world, building cities, making war, developing religions, creating art, discovering technology, taking over the planet with our technology, exploring the bottom of the seas, discovering the inside of the human body, exploring space, etc.