Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth

by Oliver Jeffers

Other authorsOliver Jeffers (Illustrator)
Hardcover, 2017

Status

Available

Collection

Publication

Philomel Books (2017), Edition: Illustrated, 48 pages

Description

In this salutation from Earth, the chronicler gives a tour of the planet and introduces those who call it home.

User reviews

LibraryThing member melodyreads
Fun look at the world
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
Celebrated author/artist Oliver Jeffers, inspired by the birth of his son, presents a picture-book love letter to our planet in this beautiful new book. "Here we are," the narrator informs us, pointing to our blue globe, as it hangs in space. From the land to the sea, from people to animals, all
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the wonderful, marvelous kinds of creature and thing that go to make up our planet are detailed. So too are various pieces of advice about living in this world of ours, from cherishing the time we have (there isn't much of it) to being kind to the other residents. In the end, on Earth, you are never alone...

Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth is Jeffers' newest book, and I think that it is (along with A Child of Books) one of my absolute favorites. The narrative is simple, but immensely moving, highlighting as it does both the diversity and the unity of life on Earth. The artwork is simply breathtaking! Jeffers utilizes a gorgeous color palette here, whether it be the purples of space (and the mountains) or the rainbow hues of Earth's peoples, in their many different garbs. I think my favorite pages were those on which so many different people and animals were depicted. I loved some of the humorous details here - the Dodo Bird, on the animal page, is thinking "I'm not supposed to be here" - but most of all I loved the sense of heart, the sense that this truly is a meditation on all that is important, in our earth-bound lives. Recommended to Jeffers' fans, and to anyone looking for children's picture-books about living in and belonging to the world.
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LibraryThing member nbmars
I love the dedication of this book:

“To my son, Harland: This book was written in the first two months of your life as I tried to make sense of it all for you. These are the things I think you need to know.”

The author begins by explaining, “There is much to see and do here on Earth, so
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let’s get started with a quick tour.”

He writes about how the planet is made up of two parts: the land and the sea, and provides the basics about each. He then delves into the subject of people:

“On our planet, there are people.
One people is a person.
You are a person. You have a body.
Look after it, as most bits
Don’t grow back.”

He observes that there are many different kinds of people who live on Earth. He says: “We may all look different, act different and sound different . . . but don’t be fooled, we are all people.”

He talks about what people do, and how sometimes life seems to move slowly, and sometimes quickly: “It will be gone before you know it.”

He says, “It looks big, Earth. But there are lots of us on here (7,327,450,667 and counting) so be kind. There is enough for everyone.”

As he said in an interview, “I was explaining to my son the things that I find fascinating, which is that we are just this ball floating around this other ball.”

The author is also the illustrator, and employs bright colors and whimsical portrayals of people and animals.

Evaluation: The text is perfect for kids, and witty and wise enough to please the adults reading the book to their kids as well. The core messages - to be kind, accept difference, and appreciate the planet, will help teach children and give even the little ones much to contemplate.
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LibraryThing member wichitafriendsschool
This is a very simple introduction to what Earth is -- a planet with land and water, different kinds of land, and many shapes of people and animals -- and it all works together.
LibraryThing member ms_rowse
This book is intended for newborns, but I read it to my homeroom class as an end-of-the-year story/call to be a good human. The pages contain small details, and my high schoolers wanted me to read every detail on every page. Love the message as well as the illustrations.

Language

Original language

English

Original publication date

2017

Physical description

11.31 inches

ISBN

0399167897 / 9780399167898

Barcode

299
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