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5th out of 24 books
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Is There Really a Human Race?
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.
With these questions, our hero's imagination is off and running. Is the human "race" an obstacle course? Is it a spirit? Does he get his own lane? Does he get his own coach?
Written
...moreHardcover, 40 pages
Published
September 1st 2006
by Joanna Cotler Books
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I've read several of Jamie Lee Curtis' books in the past, and thought they were a very decent effort, but nothing stood out. In contrast, I highly recommend "Is There Really a Human RACE?". It's about the definition of personal accomplishment, and uses metaphor and philosophical musings in metered rhyme, easily understood by the younger set. Written and illustrated for ages 4-8, adults, too, will enjoy this book. Most especially, teachers of 7-10 year-old students can make use of t...more
My daughter who is three LOVES this book and asks to read it everyday...I think it speaks to our fast paced culture perhaps better than any "grown-up" book I've read. Sometimes, I read it when she's not even here...
This is a wonderful book, for adults as well as children. It gives me goosebumps every time I read it. The illustrations are so cute and the story is so charming, but there is also a real message to be heard here.
"Sometimes it's better not to go fast. There are beautiful sights to be seen when you're last.
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. An...more
"Sometimes it's better not to go fast. There are beautiful sights to be seen when you're last.
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. An...more
With engaging text and lively illustrations that show the world getting faster, busier, and more crowded, this picture book ponders why we all race around from task to task and answers the types of questions children are likely to race. The payoff, of course, comes near the end of the book as the mother tells her child that making good choices and being a good person, the type who cares about others, is what matters, not how much money you make or how fast you race through life. It's a good remi...more
Philosophy for the younger ones... This is an interesting story by Jamie Lee Curtis, that I believe is as much for parents as it is for children.
"Sometimes it's better not to go fast. There are beautiful sights to be seen when you're last."
"Shouldn't it be looking back at the end that you judge your own race by the help that you lend?"
"And make friends and love well, bring art to this place. And make the world better for the whole ...more
"Sometimes it's better not to go fast. There are beautiful sights to be seen when you're last."
"Shouldn't it be looking back at the end that you judge your own race by the help that you lend?"
"And make friends and love well, bring art to this place. And make the world better for the whole ...more
Jamie Lee Curtis, Is There Really a Human Race? (Joanna Cotler Books, 2006)
Man, this book started off so well. Of its thirty-two pages, fully twenty-six of them are great stuff. Playing on the multiple meanings of the word “race”, Curtis asks all sorts of amusing questions about humanity. While it does get a tad overbearing at times with the moralizing (“If the race is unfair, will I succeed?” comes flying out of nowhere, for example), it's quick, funny, and wonderfully illustrated...more
Man, this book started off so well. Of its thirty-two pages, fully twenty-six of them are great stuff. Playing on the multiple meanings of the word “race”, Curtis asks all sorts of amusing questions about humanity. While it does get a tad overbearing at times with the moralizing (“If the race is unfair, will I succeed?” comes flying out of nowhere, for example), it's quick, funny, and wonderfully illustrated...more
This book is awesome at getting one to wonder how we as people contribute to society. I like the way Curtis uses the metaphor of a real race to describe the human race. I also like how there is a world book that looks like a school year book in the back. It has a picture of children with a description of what they want to be when they grow up. It would be neat to do the same with the students in your class and discuss how each person’s occupation helps contribute to society.
Love this book! I'm not usually big on books written by actors but I fell in love with her "It's hard to be five" and we have bought a ton of hers since (they're so good, I have to own them, the library wont do)!
This one if just adorable and has a great message to go along with it.
When picking out bedtime stories, (3 books a night - one pick per kid) we always seem to have at least one of her books in the pickings!
This one if just adorable and has a great message to go along with it.
When picking out bedtime stories, (3 books a night - one pick per kid) we always seem to have at least one of her books in the pickings!
While I certainly have reservations when it comes to celebrity books, the combo of jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell rarely disappoints. This book is my favorite of theirs. I love how the illustrations complete the inference of the text and how it inspires little kids to look at the hard things in life with humor and in an encouraging way.
Great book. My soon loved the pictures.
Joanna Cotler Books, Harper Collins Publishers, New York, New York:2006
ISBN# 0-06-075346-3
Grade: K-3
Uses: Community, Colorful illustrations, Read aloud, Rhyming.
Starts off with a question Is there really a human race? a boy asking more questions wondering about the human race. Very funny.
Joanna Cotler Books, Harper Collins Publishers, New York, New York:2006
ISBN# 0-06-075346-3
Grade: K-3
Uses: Community, Colorful illustrations, Read aloud, Rhyming.
Starts off with a question Is there really a human race? a boy asking more questions wondering about the human race. Very funny.
This is a cool book, the rhymes, color and message all work together splendidly. Each and every page is brimming with bright color and there is so much to look at. I liked this book and think kids would get a kick out of it. I would recommend it.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009/05...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009/05...
Genre: Poem (rhyme)
Copyright: 2006
I really liked this book because it gave kids a visual way of helping them to understand racism (of a sort) and I loved the play on words. I bought this book three years ago at a garage sale and hadn't read it yet. I thought the message was wonderful and kids will be able to relate to it I think.
Copyright: 2006
I really liked this book because it gave kids a visual way of helping them to understand racism (of a sort) and I loved the play on words. I bought this book three years ago at a garage sale and hadn't read it yet. I thought the message was wonderful and kids will be able to relate to it I think.
Satin
rated it
I loved the pictures! This book was interesting and it discusses the things that would possibly make up a human race. I think students would enjoy reading this book on a daily basis. This story could be used to remind students that we are all the same, we just come in different colors, shapes, and sizes.
Is there really a human race? Is a great book! I have read it to the children I nanny many times. It is all about how people on earth are a "race". It is a book that introduces the science terms about a human being an animal. It is a fun book about different kinds of races! so cute
Jennifer Borduin
rated it
This book extends the moral lesson of taking life slow and easy, and enjoying the views along the way. This is a great story to help influence children to help others rather than push and shove for the finish line. After all, the beauty is all around us, not just the end.
I loved this book because it explained life isn't about racing but trying your best. Children are always eager to finish first, not putting forth their best effort. I think this book is great for children to understand the concept that it's not about finishing first.
I loved this book. It could start a great discussion on word play and all of the weird phrases and word combinations we use in the english language. It is also a lighthearted way to bring up race, and discuss how we are all human not mater what shape size or color.
Nice rhyming story. Illustrations are cut but very busy. the reader needs to be able to spend time with the pictures to fully appreciate them. I thought the transition from talking about a physical race to being the best person you can be happened a little to quickly.
This is such a great book. It teaches about making the world a better place, one step at a time. I recently ran my first 1/2 marathon and read this book beforehand keeping in mind that I just needed to do my best. I needed to enjoy the "beautiful sights to be seen".
Jamie Lee Curtis has produced a funny and deeply moving book on our common humanity. Jumping off from the pun about running a human race, she comes around to making some simple, but profound reflections on just how we "run" our own lives. A clear winner!
My friend Karen gave me this book. She knows I like Jamie Lee Curtis and she liked the content...it wonderful!!! I read it to a Leadership class and a reading class that I was subbing for. Sometimes when you are slow, you see more stuff!!
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I loved reading this book! It's so cool how the human race is meant to literally be a "race." This is a good book for class discussion on the meanings brought out in the book and discuss whether there really is a human race. Pre-k-3rd
This book was interesting but a little confusing. Before I read the book I had a thought of what the book was about. But after reading the book my predictions were wrong. It's an interesting way to look at the world.
Wonderful book with great illustrations. In this book, students will learn about the human "race." Children will learn that by making good choices, how we live and how we love are ways to make the world a better place.
A young boy wonders how and what started the human race and whether or not it is a "race" where he should be the first to the finish line. His mother than explains to her son that sometimes its not always best to rush things in order to live your life to the fullest.
This book poses a great question, is there really a human race? It is great to talk about everyone as one race. This can really help build a sense of community and belonging in the classroom.
A phenominal book that introduces children into different ethnicities and races. It introduces children into a world of cultural diversity and the illustrations depict different nationalities.
This is a pretty predictable story. the teacher can read a line and then leave the rhyming word out for the kindergarteners to fill in. this book makes for a fun and interactive read aloud.
Wow -- talk about asking good questions in a way that makes asking them accessible to kids. I love the pictures and the message of this book. I plan to integrate this into my teaching.
One of my favorite recent children's book :) I was lucky enough to get a personalized autographed copy when Jamie Lee Curtis came to the B&N I work at. Really a great story :)
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Jamie Lee Curtis is a two-time Golden Globe-winning, BAFTA-winning, and Emmy-nominated American film actress and an author of children's books. Although she was initially known as a "scream queen" because of her starring roles in many horror films early in her career such as Halloween (1978 film), The Fog, Prom Night (1980 film) and Terror Train, Curtis has since compiled a body of work ...more
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