Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth
By Regan McMahon,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
A dad's witty guide to the world his baby's been born into.
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What's the Story?
WE ARE HERE: NOTES FOR LIVING ON PLANET EARTH aims to be a guidebook for a new baby -- laying out a few facts he'll need to know about the planet where he now lives. It starts with placing Earth among the planets in the solar system, then moves on to the land ("rock and dirt") and sea ("water"), people, and animals.
Is It Any Good?
This lighthearted guide to our planet is a charming way of imagining what a new baby will need to know about Earth and grow up to learn and experience. There's dry humor in the narrator's tone, such as telling the new baby to take care of his body, "as most bits of it don't grown back." Animals, he notes, "can't speak, though that's no reason not to be nice to them." And, "You will figure lots of things out for yourself. Just remember to leave notes for everyone else." Author-illustrator Oliver Jeffers' colorful illustrations draw readers in and give them lots to look at, from an underwater scene with octopus, whale, seal, and dolphin to a two-page spread of diverse humans in various activities, professions, and ethnic dress.
Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth is loaded with positive messages about tolerance, responsibility, and taking care of Earth, but it's all done with humor and never preachy. There's much to enjoy for a variety of ages, including new parents.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way the world is presented in Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth. What things do you think a baby needs to know about the planet we live on?
Which pictures do you like best: ones that show the land, the ocean, or the sky? What's fun about them?
On the two pages showing different kinds of animals, can you name all the ones shown? Which ones are your favorites?
Book Details
- Author: Oliver Jeffers
- Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers
- Genre: Picture Book
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Philomel
- Publication date: November 14, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 3 - 7
- Number of pages: 48
- Available on: Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated: December 15, 2017
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