Is There Really a Human Race? (Hardcover)

by Jamie Lee Curtis (Author), Laura Cornell (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
This circuitous tale from the creators of It's Hard to Be Five opens with a series of questions: "Is there really/ a human race?/ Is it going on now all over the place?/ When did it start?/ Who said, 'Ready, Set, Go'?/ Did it start on my birthday?/ I really must know." Cornell quickly livens up the proceedings, however, with a spread of newborns lined up in a nursery, suggesting clues to their futures. One sunglasses-sporting infant holds an Oscar statuette, another chews on the tassel of a graduation cap. The relay race metaphor plays out as Cornell pictures a diverse spectrum of people dashing about madly, and the narrator poses more questions: "Is the race like a loop/ or an obstacle course?/ Am I a jockey,/ or am I a horse?" After asking why he is doing "this zillion-yard dash," the lad observes that if we don't help each other, we're all going to "crash." Switching to the mother's perspective, the narrative emphasizes the importance of taking one's time, trying one's best ("that's more important than beating the rest") and making the world a better place "for the whole human race." Curtis's message has merit, yet its singsong delivery seems muddled. Yet fans of this duo may well be carried along by Cornell's bustling, whimsical art, overflowing with quirky particulars that celebrate the diversity of people everywhere. All ages. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal
Starred Review. Kindergarten-Grade 3–Curtis writes so very well, in infectious toe-tapping poetic form, of the inner thoughts and worries that children struggle with all too frequently. Here, a boy asks his mother the title question. He continues, If the race is unfair, will I succeed? His mother tells her son that it's often better to help others and make the world a better place than to win first place in a foot race. Cornell's ink-and-color wash cartoons are a perfect match to Curtis's lilting text. The detailed spreads will fascinate young readers. For instance, on the page on which the child asks, …is Dad on my team? the illustrations show his father, grandad, and a multitude of ancestors back to cavemen. When he worries about making the wrong turn, a maze full of children of different ethnicities is depicted. This book should be enjoyed by the whole human race.–Alice DiNizo, Plainfield Public Schools, NJ
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (September 5, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060753463
• ISBN-13: 978-0060753467
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 9.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,613 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Such a wonderful, important message, September 11, 2006

By	Carole Burrage "TruCarMa" (Claremore, OK USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Whimsically Charming, September 5, 2006

By	Wantz Upon A Time Reviews "www.wantzuponatime... (Chicago) - See all my reviews

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

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Spectacular! , September 29, 2006

By	Amy Graham (Scottsdale, AZ) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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+!!