You Are My Pride

February 1, 2023
Grades K-3 If the planet had a human voice, it would sound like Toni Morrison's, and it would read this poem. There is a deep, melodic cadence to the words of You Are My Pride, a lyrical appeal to the world's children to remember their planet and take care of it. "Child, I stood at the brink of your evolution-- / when you were without a yesterday / and all you had were tomorrows," she reminds readers, with love and gravity and a note of caution lest we forget (as perhaps we have to remember our humble beginnings. Lewis' watercolor illustrations are the perfect complement, capturing the watery swirl from which humans evolved into upright creatures and developed the skills to survive in nature. The evolutionary story is aptly placed in Africa, where, as the back matter reminds us, the earliest evidence of humanity's beginnings has been identified. The genre-crossing nature makes this an ideal title for both the science and ELA classrooms--or simply as a read-aloud with the potential for rich discussion.

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Starred review from May 29, 2023
Boston Weatherford’s affectionate letter from the cradle of humankind begins, “I am the mother of all humanity,/ I have a long history and a longer memory./ Most of all, I remember you,/ my offspring of all colors/ in all corners of the earth.” Continuing, the motherland (who “knew you from the first—/ when you were but a glimmer in some god’s heart”) narrates milestones of early humans from “the brink of your evolution” to bipedal motion and surviving the dangers of the wilderness. As final scenes show modern-day children of various skin tones running through a field, then zoom out to a view of the earth, text culminates in a final, ringing declaration: “Here is your home.” Lewis wields watercolor to pristine effect in depicting vast and varied landscapes. A timeline of human evolution concludes. Ages 4–8.

Starred review from January 1, 2023
A love letter to humans, all of whom originated in Africa. Told in second person by Africa herself, this evolution story opens with images of landscapes as the narrator announces, "I am the mother of all humanity / I have a long history and a longer memory." What she remembers most of all is "you, / my offspring of all colors / in all corners of the earth." In beautifully evocative free verse, she reminds us of "our timeless bond," and as she progresses through time, the illustrations show different landforms and then a hominid sitting in the mouth of a cave. The narrator emphasizes humans' survival and the things Mother Africa provided that enabled them to live through difficult conditions: caves for shelter, forests for food, intelligence to outwit predators. Lewis' gorgeous, dreamlike watercolors sharpen as they move closer to contemporary life. The book's title has a double meaning: In one image, a lioness closes in on a swift-moving herd of gazelles while the narrator articulates her love for these animals, "but," she says, "you, child, are my pride." By labeling humans with the collective noun for lions, Africa claims all of us as her family and also makes clear that we are the creation of which she is proudest--an inspired use of wordplay. An appended evolutionary timeline will spark further scientific research. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A strikingly illustrated, innovative story of human evolution at the intersections of science and art. (Informational picture book. 4-10)

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December 8, 2023

PreS-Gr 3-Earth speaks directly to humanity in this heartfelt poem, beginning its narrative in Africa. "I have a long history and a longer memory. Most of all, I remember you, my offspring of all colors in all corners of the earth." Earth guides readers through the evolutionary journey of humanity, expressing a special fondness for humans as a favored creation. "Child, I could not protect you from all dangers, but I gave you a clever mind to outwit swifter, stronger predators and to weather fierce storms." Enhanced by captivating watercolor illustrations, the story delves into human evolution, emphasizing Mother Africa's profound affection for all living beings. The back matter includes a time line of key species and developments in early human evolution, though there are no sources to support these facts. For those who love picture books in free verse and seeing how humans have changed over time, this is a good read. VERDICT A recommended addition to large library collections, especially appealing to poetry enthusiasts and those captivated by humanity's evolutionary tale.-Kirsten Caldwell

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