The History of We - Perfect Picture Book Friday #PPBF

Maria Marshall
Jun 30
3 min read

This magnificent picture book is a stunning visual and poetic look at our history, at humanity's family tree.

Book cover - the face and shoulder of a woman looking sideways over a leaf at the reader.

The History of We

Author/Illustrator: Nikkolas Smith

Publisher: Kokila Books (May 20, 2025)

Ages: 4-8

Informational Fiction

Themes:

History, scientific discoveries, exploration, and humankind's biography.

Synopsis:

An awe-inspiring picture book about the origin and advancement of humans, from author and #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Nikkolas Smith.

Fossil records show that the first humans were born in Africa. Meaning, every person on Earth can trace their ancestry back to that continent. The History of We celebrates our shared ancestors' ingenuity and achievements and imagines what these firsts would have looked and felt like.

What was it like for the first person to paint, to make music, to dance, to discover medicine, to travel to unknown lands? It required courage, curiosity, and skill.

The History of We takes what we know about modern human civilization and, through magnificent paintings, creates a tale about our shared beginnings in a way that centers Black people in humankind's origin story.

Opening Lines:

What does the beginning look like?

What I LOVED about this book:

A provocatively stunning and textured painting, vaguely reminiscent of The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo, with a disembodied hand pointing at a lush, verdant valley in Africa, combines in such a beautiful way with this succinct opening to gorgeously start this book about the origins of humanity.

Internal spread - a hand reaching out to a, rough-edged, window into the fertile landscape of ancient Africa.

Text & Image © Nikkolas Smith, 2025.

From this "birthplace of civilization," Nikkolas Smith uses a lyrical text and full bleed, hand painted acrylic spreads to explore and capture the achievements and progression of humankind. From the first development of language and stories to creative expressions and art. From the development of music to the creation of dance.

Internal spread - a person joyfully tossed into the air, by five hands below them and one on the side.

There is so much joy and movement in all of Nikkolas Smith's illustrations. And, if you look closely, tucked within a number of them are additional small vignette stories with stick figures. He captures how we were inventors, architects, and farmers. Healers, swimmers, explorers, and astronomers. Using "we," he connects us all back to our ancestors, "to our original family tree." Inviting the reader to travel, along with our intelligent, caring, and creative relatives, on a journey of 200,000 years.

Internal spread - five people climbing up or standing on a hill, marvelling at the night sky and stars.

This poetic and visual adventure is based on solid research and years of fossil and archeological science. Written to honor humanity's accomplishments, celebrations, and struggles and counter the notion that 'civilization' actually began much later. An illustrated timeline provides dates and explanations of the scientific discoveries for each progressive step of humanity, in a way that is easily accessible without being overly generalized. This is a wonderful book which should be in all libraries and schools.

Resources:

using a paper bag and chalk or a crayon create your own cave drawing of animals the live near you.
reading the book's timeline make a list of the fossils (remains of living things) and artifacts (things that were made) which scientists have discovered.
create your own new dance or instrument.

If you missed my interview with Nikkolas Smith on Monday, find it (here).

This post is part of a series of blog posts by authors and KidLit bloggers called Perfect Picture Book Fridays. For more picture book suggestions and resources see Susanna Leonard Hill's Perfect Picture Books.