Customer Reviews

Is There Really a Human Race?

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I heard Jamie Lee Curtis reading this book on the Diane Rehm show last week. It happened to be my son's second birthday; we were driving home from one of the six therapy appointments he has each week (he has cerebral palsy). My eyes filled up with tears and we immediately drove to a local bookstore. I bought three copies -- one for each of my sons and one to give as a gift.

This book has such an amazing message and emphasizes what we all know to be true but too often forget: "Shouldn't it be that you just try your best?/And that's more important than beating the rest?/Shouldn't it be looking back at the end/that you judge your own race by the help that you lend?/So, take what's inside you and make big, bold choices./And for those who can't speak for themselves use bold voices./And make friends and love well, bring art to this place./And make the world better for the whole human race."

How refreshing to read a book that juxtaposes society's relentless quest for being the biggest, the best, and the most perfect with the gentle message that what really matters is helping others and loving your neighbor (and we are all of us neighbors). That it is gorgeously illustrated is the icing on this substantial cake.

I'm so grateful for a book like this which reinforces what I aspire to teach my kids everyday: everyone is different, everyone has challenges (some are just more visible than others), and kindness is the most important quality a person can possess. I know this will be a very special book in our family library for all the years to come.

A young boy has a question for his mother: "Is there really a human race?" He wants to know how and when it started, if he's supposed to train for it, what weather the race will face, and who he'll run against. He worries about winning, losing, getting lost, making mistakes, and what happens if people don't help each other. His mother's gentle assurances encourage him to be his best and to stand up for others.

With their characteristic whimsy and charm, Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell bring us a new look at the big picture of humanity. Everything appears differently through the eyes of children, and exploring the literal meaning of "human race" reminds adults that kids see and hear more than they let on. As the boy's mother tells him, it is up to us to help each other and show compassion for all--after all, wouldn't it be better for everyone to win the race?

Younger children will giggle at the silly pictures imagined by the boy, and older children and adults will appreciate the literal and figurative meanings throughout the book. I highly recommend this as a future family favorite.

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
8/21/2006

This book is all about those crazy questions that only a child can come up with...but that are plaintive and need a response...in this book we see the wild imaginings of a child and all of his fears and dreams of what it means to be in the human race! What can I say but WOW...there is a lot going on in this book and the question is silly, yet serious...just the kind of question a kid would ask and the message itself (as written by Curtis) is priceless! I'm constantly trying to encourage without making things into a competition...stressing that just trying one's hardest/best is what counts, that life is really more about the journey not the destination. The illustrations and the rhyming poems are of the same quality as the other books I've read by Curtis and Cornell...and I think that's part of what makes this book work so well...the illustrations are a chaotic symphony...so much to see, so many little details for young minds to love and the play between what the words mean literally and what they mean figuratively is absolutely perfect for pulling in both children and adults! This is really a wonderful book for all ages and as with others by this author, its best as a read aloud...the larger the group the more interesting the story telling discussion afterwards...and believe me, there will be plenty!! Simply a spectacular way to introduce some complex ideas to younger readers! I'll definitely be adding this to my permanent collection! A+!!

This book is wonderful!!! My son thinks just like this....the world around him is a race !! It is hard to teach him otherwise when we are all racing around. This book could not have come at a better time. Everything and everyone has a label. Almost all the shows are reality shows where someone has to win. We tell our childrens to be who they are, schools try to teach acceptance but yet we have to ask are we showing our children this !! I have show this book to adults and they love it and plan to buy a copy for themselves. My teenage neice (19) loved it and want to purchase one for her friends to read. My 75 year old father loved it. Everyone should have a copy of this. Maternity hospitals should have a copy of this in every room. GYN/OBs should have a copy in every waiting room. I cant say enought about this book except BUY IT. Keep up the good work Jamie we need more books like this. My son will be 8 soon so I hope you consider writing for older children as well.

I bought this for my little cousin for her birthday after seeing that they had several of Jamie's other books. They loved them, and I thought they'd like this - they did and so did I. She's a great writer and her books are really good. There are fantastic illustrations too that make the book full of color and light (I love all the babies in their basenettes and they have their parents dream job on them, such as a doctor or a lawyer etc. Very cute).
A little boy asks if there really is a human race "Why am I racing, what am I winning, does all of my running keep all the world spinning?". It's so cute, and learns in the second half of the book that take the 'race' slower and you'll learn things and you need to try your best to help one another because it doesn't matter if you win or lose, but how you go about the race and make a positive difference, and you'll make a better place for the whole human race.
This is such a great book and especially for kids to learn from it. The pictures and the storyline combines to make a beautiful and fascinating book that they'll love to read over and over. I loved it too and I'm 33. I think there is wide appeal not only for the kids, but also to the parents, adults, whoever that read this to them.

While I don't usually review picture books, I highly recommend this charming book for adults who need to be reminded to slow down. I bought a copy to purchase for a youngster -- but was so moved by the message that I plan to keep it myself and will have to buy another. Curtis's important message is sure to strike a chord with over-scheduled adults who happen to be reading the book aloud to children. Cornell's whimsical illustrations (I loved the girl who's got the biggest hair "without product") make you pause for a closer look as you follow the text, which is exactly what a good picture book should do. This book makes a great gift for anyone -- regardless of age. -- Cindy La Ferle [...]

There's no doubt that kids love a good rhyme. They love to read it, or to hear it read to them. Here's an appealing book that captures the inquisitive nature of a young mind and, in asking the questions, sheds light on the big issues of the human race. The illustrations are light, airy, and fanciful, which suits this playful and engaging text very well.

This is a lovely little book for both children and adults alike. Three weeks before christmas I picked it up in the bookstore and couldn't put it down. I bought that copy right there then went home and bought ten more off Amazon and sent them to all my close friends for Christmas. For me it ranks right up there with the Lorax by Dr. Suess as a children's story with heart and wisdom. Read it to your children, read it for yourself.

I love this book! It has a great message. It is quick read and the illustrations are fabulouus. I would highly recommend it.

I heard an interview with Jamie Lee Curtis on the Diane Rheem show on NPR so I got the book for my kids. Jamie Lee had been talking about how society has put so much pressure on kids to be the best and the first and have all the newest things. It has such a wonderful message about competition and doing what is right instead of grabbing all you can. It is written in clear language - even my first grader can read it herself.

The illustrations are great because everytime you look at the book, you see something different. The kids aren't all beautiful and all of their clothes don't match. I loved it so much I ended up buying several copies as Christmas gifts this year.

It's my favorite kids book.