What Makes Us Human
- Children & Youth
- Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (Eerdmans)
- Published: 2024
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Publisher's Description
A National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)-Children’s Book Council (CBC) Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People List A USBBY Outstanding International Book Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Books List "The profundity of the topic of language itself hits its mark. A beautiful addition to all libraries." — School Library Journal (STARRED REVIEW) A poetic riddle about language and its role in history, culture, and human connection, released in partnership with UNESCO in honor of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032). Can you guess what I am? I have been around a very, very long time. You hardly knew me as a baby, but now you cannot get me out of your head. There are thousands of me, all over the globe, and some of those forms are disappearing. I can connect you to the past, present, and future. Who am I—and why am I so important to humanity? Clever and thought-provoking, the award-winning What Makes Us Human is an accessible introduction to how language connects people across the world. This unique book celebrates all the amazing ways communication shapes our lives, including through text messages on phones, Braille buttons in elevators, and endangered languages at risk of disappearing. Published in partnership with UNESCO in honor of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032), What Makes Us Human is available in more than 30 languages around the world.
Endorsements (6)
“What Makes Us Human does what the best books do. It brings us together, celebrating our differences and commonalities while engaging the reader with beautiful illustrations and text that challenges and rewards.”
“A beautifully illustrated book about our shared humanity. An engaging read and wonderful concept.”
“As you cross time and space and solve a riddle full of beautiful metaphors, an amazing answer awaits at the end to make us look at our existence in a new way.”
“A thoughtfully guided quest for the identity of a narrator both foreign and familiar. Forlati's textural mixed-media illustrations offer a map of meaningful keys and symbols.”
“What Makes Us Human, through its journey of searching for the identity of the narrator, opens a vast window to understanding the world and ourselves. 'I' becomes a tree, putting down roots; a river, threading time; it transforms into a beautiful song and into the thunderous sounds of a pouring bombardment. Gradually, 'I' becomes 'You' and morphs into ‘Us.'”
“A splendid achievement by the author and illustrator. They convey a powerful message about language in a simple, moving, and effective way. I'm sure children will love it - and I suspect adults too will appreciate the universal appeal of the way they tell their story.”
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