In this powerfully written and beautifully illustrated picture book by award-winning author and illustrator team Carole Boston Weatherford and E. B. Lewis, Mother Africa addresses her offspring of all colors in all corners of the earth, reminding us of our timeless bond.
Written in the voice of Mother Africa, who speaks to her children—human beings—this stunning picture book thrums with the love between mother and child as it celebrates humanity’s common roots.
Before words or tools or fire, Mother Africa’s caves sheltered us and her forests fed us. She could not protect us from all dangers, but, like mothers everywhere, she gave her children all she could and sent us into the world with confidence and love. Told in the ringing, singing language of a creation story, this book is a love letter from mother to child that honors our shared history.
Includes back matter with nonfiction information about human evolution and about the migration of Homo sapiens from Africa around the globe.
★ "A love letter to humans, all of whom originated in Africa. Told in second person by Africa herself...in beautifully evocative free verse... Lewis’ gorgeous, dreamlike watercolors sharpen as they move closer to contemporary life....A strikingly illustrated, innovative story of human evolution at the intersections of science and art." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "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.'..Lewis wields watercolor to pristine effect in depicting vast and varied landscapes. A timeline of human evolution concludes." —Publishers Weekly, starred review
"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...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 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." —Booklist
"Earth speaks directly to humanity in this heartfelt poem...Enhanced by captivating watercolor illustrations, the story delves into human evolution, emphasizing Mother Africa’s profound affection for all living beings. A recommended addition to large library collections, especially appealing to poetry enthusiasts and those captivated by humanity’s evolutionary tale." —School Library Journal
Carole Boston Weatherford is an award-winning poet and author of more than a dozen books for children, including A Negro League Scrapbook. She lives in High Point, North Carolina.
View titles by Carole Boston Weatherford
The recipient of a Caldecott Honor and an Orbis Pictus Award, along with many others, E. B. Lewis is the illustrator of more than seventy books for children. His Calkins Creek titles include Seeking Freedom by Selene Castrovilla and Lizzie Demands a Seat by Beth Anderson, which won Bank Street College of Education's Flora Stieglitz Straus Award for excellence in fiction, along with many other honors. Visit eblewis.com.
View titles by E. B. Lewis
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Illustrator E.B. Lewis discusses YOU ARE MY PRIDE and INVINCIBLE
In this powerfully written and beautifully illustrated picture book by award-winning author and illustrator team Carole Boston Weatherford and E. B. Lewis, Mother Africa addresses her offspring of all colors in all corners of the earth, reminding us of our timeless bond.
Written in the voice of Mother Africa, who speaks to her children—human beings—this stunning picture book thrums with the love between mother and child as it celebrates humanity’s common roots.
Before words or tools or fire, Mother Africa’s caves sheltered us and her forests fed us. She could not protect us from all dangers, but, like mothers everywhere, she gave her children all she could and sent us into the world with confidence and love. Told in the ringing, singing language of a creation story, this book is a love letter from mother to child that honors our shared history.
Includes back matter with nonfiction information about human evolution and about the migration of Homo sapiens from Africa around the globe.
Praise
★ "A love letter to humans, all of whom originated in Africa. Told in second person by Africa herself...in beautifully evocative free verse... Lewis’ gorgeous, dreamlike watercolors sharpen as they move closer to contemporary life....A strikingly illustrated, innovative story of human evolution at the intersections of science and art." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★ "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.'..Lewis wields watercolor to pristine effect in depicting vast and varied landscapes. A timeline of human evolution concludes." —Publishers Weekly, starred review
"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...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 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." —Booklist
"Earth speaks directly to humanity in this heartfelt poem...Enhanced by captivating watercolor illustrations, the story delves into human evolution, emphasizing Mother Africa’s profound affection for all living beings. A recommended addition to large library collections, especially appealing to poetry enthusiasts and those captivated by humanity’s evolutionary tale." —School Library Journal
Author
Carole Boston Weatherford is an award-winning poet and author of more than a dozen books for children, including A Negro League Scrapbook. She lives in High Point, North Carolina.
View titles by Carole Boston Weatherford
The recipient of a Caldecott Honor and an Orbis Pictus Award, along with many others, E. B. Lewis is the illustrator of more than seventy books for children. His Calkins Creek titles include Seeking Freedom by Selene Castrovilla and Lizzie Demands a Seat by Beth Anderson, which won Bank Street College of Education's Flora Stieglitz Straus Award for excellence in fiction, along with many other honors. Visit eblewis.com.
View titles by E. B. Lewis
Media
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Illustrator E.B. Lewis discusses YOU ARE MY PRIDE and INVINCIBLE
