Is There Really a Human Race?

by Jamie Lee Curtis

Hardcover, 2006

Status

Available

Genres

Children's Books

Collection

Children's Circulating

Publication

HarperCollins (2006), Edition: Illustrated, 40 pages

Description

While thinking about life as a race, a child wonders whether it is most important to finish first or to have fun along the way.

User reviews

LibraryThing member the_hag

This book is all about those crazy questions that only a child can come up with...but that are plaintive and need a response...in this book we see the wild imaginings of a child and all of his fears and dreams of what it means to be in the human race! What can I say but WOW...there is a lot going

on in this book and the question is silly, yet serious...just the kind of question a kid would ask and the message itself (as written by Curtis) is priceless! I'm constantly trying to encourage without making things into a competition...stressing that just trying one's hardest/best is what counts, that life is really more about the journey not the destination. The illustrations and the rhyming poems are of the same quality as the other books I've read by Curtis and Cornell...and I think that's part of what makes this book work so well...the illustrations are a chaotic symphony...so much to see, so many little details for young minds to love and the play between what the words mean literally and what they mean figuratively is absolutely perfect for pulling in both children and adults! This is really a wonderful book for all ages and as with others by this author, its best as a read aloud...the larger the group the more interesting the story telling discussion afterwards...and believe me, there will be plenty!! Simply a spectacular way to introduce some complex ideas to younger readers! I'll definitely be adding this to my permanent collection! A+!!

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LibraryThing member mrsarey

A cute rhyming picture book about the human race.

LibraryThing member aswideman

This is a cute book to help students understand that there really is a human race. They should try to do good things for the world, be friends with everyone, and do not judge for the whole human race.

LibraryThing member wpbarrentine

Play on words. The boy in the story thinks that there is a race for all humans. He wants to know everything about it. His mom goes on to explain that it is not a race, but life is meant to enjoy.

LibraryThing member danielleburry

LOVE this book! Jamie Lee Curtis switches the human race to an actual "human race" with pictures of children and adults running around all over the place. The narrator asks several questions about what the race is all about and in the ending of the story there is a great moral message. Definitely

will have this book in my classroom!!!!

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LibraryThing member NataliaLucia

Personal Response: Although I agree with the message in the story and I believe it is one we need to teach at an early age, I found the text to be so trite.
Curricular Connection: This book could be used in conjunction with a discussion about diversity.

LibraryThing member bluemopitz

I was wary of a book by an actress, but it was pretty good. The rhyming is good and the theme of the book is a good one. It does get pretty silly in places, but the message is solid.

This could be used in curriculum to teach kids to accept people of all shapes, sizes, colors, abilities, and races

to get along and help one another for the betterment of society and the world.

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LibraryThing member tterry6901

The children and the adults in the book are in a "race" and it shows so many different people going for the same goal and how we are all alike.

I like the book because it shows childrent that we may be a different color or live in a different part of the world, but we are all the same and I feel

that is very important for a child to know. This way they are able to grow into well rounded individuals.

The students can have their own "race" around the classroom! Interacting with the students and showing them how we are all different even within their classroom is great!

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LibraryThing member mrindt

aThis story hax a great message that can be taught at an early age. It would be a good book to mix in with a lesson on diversity. Greast illustrations.

LibraryThing member jnicklas

Children do not always understand grown up phrases like 'human race'. This book is a play off of the phrase, 'Human Race'.

LibraryThing member sdpugh

Great rhyming book. Amusing and clever play on words.

LibraryThing member lnmeadows

This book has a very good overall moral to it, and I think kids would really appreciate it.

LibraryThing member matthewbloome

This is a silly fun story of a child making initial inquiries about the human race and what it all means. Fun and fast.

LibraryThing member arodri13

In my opinion, the book Is There Really A Human Race? By Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell is a wonderful picture book. By usage of questions and hypothetical situations, this book presents an interesting and unique outlook on the concept of human race. Vivid imagery and descriptive pictures allow

the story to flow in a comedic yet relevant way, capturing the reader. The overall message of this book is to appreciate who you are and acknowledge your place in this world, that your task is to make this world a better place for all. This realistic fiction book is comedic and rewarding to all readers.

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LibraryThing member ediekm1990

This was another book I picked out myself and it caught my eye because it was written by Jamie Lee Curtis and the title intrigued me as well. I thought it was a really cute book. I use that word a lot when it comes to kids books, but I think most of them should be. The book actually uses the phrase

human race and asks the question from a kid's point of view as if it were a real race. It is a poem book so it flows well. And the message is really great and simply says that life isn't a race and we should slow down to enjoy and help each other out because if we all are trying to race we are going to crash. The illustrations are crazy. There is so much color and commotion, you could spend several minutes on each page just looking like that. The way the book comes together is really great and the message is a good one for kids to know.

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LibraryThing member Spinea1

This is a great book to create a community of learners This book inspires readers to make could choices ,and stand up for others to make the world a better place.I could use this book to demonstrate how good writers use interrogatives to make the reader feel apart of the book.

LibraryThing member KyleeO

Clever book explaining the "human race". The begining rhymes and sings along with all types of wonders. Then it gets answered by inspirational quotes such as "sometimes it's better not to go fast. There are beautiful sights to be seen when you're last". Great book about helping others and enjoying

life rather than racing through it.

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