Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth

The howl family likes it, and it is so beautiful too

I ordered this book for Earth Day and it did not disappoint. Beautiful illustrations and an easy read.

We are Oliver Jeffers fans. I can't say we've read them ALL, but 3 or 4 of them and we like his clever style and artwork. This, however, is the first one that I was a little surprised by and had to think about for a minute as a part of our home library. The page of all the different people in the world includes a lesbian couple in wedding clothes. They are small and on a 2 page spread of a huge crowd of people so my children haven't even asked about it. While this does not coincide with our beliefs (we believe in marriage for one man with one woman), I have concluded that the author is simply representing people in the world from all their varying styles, cultures, lifestyles, etc. And we recognize these are the people around us, whom we should love and with whom we hope to share the truth in love. It certainly is a talking point for our family, just hopefully not something the kids notice for a while. While it would be my preference to not have this image included in this book, I assume the author is just showing the world as it is and being inclusive. I didn't find it pushy as it doesn't have anything to do with the story line directly, just simply a matter of fact sort of picture. But just wanted to help those interested in this book be aware.

My artist wife loves the illustration’s style and colors.My son likes looking at the different ships, boats, planes and animals.I think the author did a great job writing a simple and positive message on each page. it’s not easy to cover a topic so big as life and earth, yet not try to over explain concepts. Here, the sentences are basic but makes it so simple, even little ears can understand.

I will start by getting the negative comments over with- the packaging was just stupid. My book was tossed into a box and shipped with another small item I got for the kids, and since the book was not covered or anything it got torn and scratched. I wish they took more pride and care to ensure quality rather than me paying full price to get an item that looks damaged and old. I enjoy having a little personal library and I take good care of my books, so it was a bit heart crushing to see such a beautiful book arrive looking tattered.Aside from being treated poorly, the book is FLAWLESS. The illustrations are bright and detailed. The sentences are complete yet quick and to the point. The overall message is inspiring to growing minds that are full of wonder. As I go through and read the book the author has detailed notes on each page which really help guide the kids through complex ideas, such as us being on earth in one of trillions of universes.Brilliant author, brilliant illustrations, brilliant overall. This book is for anybody and everybody, just needs to be shipped more nicely.

This is one of our favorite books, both for the sweet messages and the gorgeous and detailed pictures. My two year old son has a pretty short attention span when it comes to books, but will look at certain pages of this book for 10+ minutes (which for a toddler is pretty amazing). There are so many little details to discover in each illustration and he loves to point them out and try out new words as he learns then. The messaging of the book is still a little over his head, but that’s totally okay—for now I read it to him and I enjoy getting choked up at ideas like, “you’ll never be truly alone here on earth,” and he enjoys looking at the pictures of animals people, city scenes, ocean scenes, etc. I feel like this book will grow with him as he gets older and can understand it more too. Just a great addition to your kids’ library.

I can’t say enough how much my daughter and our family enjoy this book. It is a bed time favorite for sure. This book helped my daughter starting at the age of 3 love outer space. She still loves it one year later. I think a child under the age of 3 would likely rip the pages, so best for 3yrs plus. Don’t hesitate, buy for your own family. Also makes a lovely gift.

Touching upon the basics of what our planet Earth literally is and has, is the vehicle author Oliver Jeffers uses to offer up for exploration some universal truths that are vital for living on our planet, to his firstborn, and readers. One of the most necessary is the truth that no matter how different we may seem from one another, we are all "people". Another brilliant truth is that we all have a part to play in order to understand and make our world a better place. There is a gentle reminder of using time wisely, for it is finite for every one of us. Jeffers affirms that he will be there to answer his son's questions but doesn't pretend this will be so forever, but offers the comforting truth that we are never alone, for our Earth is full of people and we will always find someone to step up and support us. The illustrations are full of details that will have readers finding new things to point at, laugh, and be awed by. Readers of Jeffer's previous books will be delighted to find favorite characters and objects, such as the rocket ship from The Way Back Home, the Boy and Penguin from Lost and Found, and others.

Un libro muy bonitos explica de manera sencilla como todos formamos parte del planeta tierra.

A lovely book about the world and our place in it as people, perfectly aimed at young people learning their place in the world and working out how the world works and the people around them.Both our older and younger children like it and love the drawings (they are not really big enough to entirely understand all the concepts but some they caught on surprisingly fast).This is a book that we will be coming back to time and again for the foreseeable future from the looks of it.Definitely a recommendation for any person, young or old! :)

Un libro muy bonitico!

This is such a lovely book! My baby girl loves the colors. :)

Excelente libro para mostrarle a tu hijo los detalles del planeta, de muy buena calidad y las ilustraciones son maravillosas.