The History of We

“What does ‘the beginning’ look like?” opens this picture book look at the “birthplace of civilization.” Gold-tinged symbols join the work’s invitation to return to the start—“so far back/ that all of our roots begin to tell the same story.” Using phrases that incorporate a communal we, and thickly stroked acrylic paintings that feel full of movement, Smith (The Artivist) establishes a progression of humankind’s creativity—“a brilliant blueprint for all human beings to come.” First arrives language and, through language, stories. Next up are art and sartorial expression, then music, instruments, and dance. After that appear invention and architecture: one illustration shows many hands braiding a net, and in another, figures build a shelter against a storm. Agriculture and medicine follow, then consideration of the sky and sea that leads to “new horizons.” As groups travel, a map shows movement from the African continent to every corner of the globe, eventually leading to a crowd of “extended cousins” of various skin tones—“the first global population.” Tracing curiosity and innovation across time and space, it’s a visually rich collective history of humankind. Most characters are portrayed with brown skin. Back matter includes an author’s note and timeline. Ages 4–8. (May)