We, the curious ones

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Title:

We, the curious ones

Author:

Bauer, Marion Dane, author.

Panicker, Hari, illustrator.

Nair, Deepti, illustrator.

Candlewick Press, publisher.

Summary:

Since the beginning, humans have created stories about the universe. From early mythology to modern-day science is a long journey, yet 95 percent of the world “out there” remains a mystery. What will we believe tomorrow? Marion Dane Bauer’s glowing poetry combines with Hari & Deepti’s intricate cut-paper illustrations, dazzling with light and shadow, to celebrate an active, vital, changing, and growing universe. They also show how we humans—the curious ones, the storytellers—are active, vital, changing, and growing, too. In a comprehensive afterword, the author tracks formative contributions to the study of the universe by Western and non-Western civilizations over the centuries. -- Amazon.

Audience:

6-9 years.

Grades 1-4.

Edition:

First edition.

Physical Description:

1 volume (unpaged) : color illustrations ; 31 cm

Genre:

Poetry.

Subject Term:

Human beings -- Juvenile fiction.

Curiosity -- Juvenile fiction.

Geographic Term:

Universe -- Juvenile fiction.

Author(s):

Panicker, Hari,

Nair, Deepti,

Added Corporate Author:

Candlewick Press,

Publisher:

Candlewick Press,

Publication Date:

2023

ISBN:

9781536218596

Publication Information:

Somerville, Massachusetts : Candlewick Press, 2023.

Call Number:

J 811.6 BAUER

Holds: Copies:

Available:*

Item Barcode	Collection	Call Number	Status	Item Holds
33607003690826	New Juvenile Nonfiction	811.6 BAUER	Searching... Unknown	Searching... Unavailable

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Shimmering poetry and stunning cut-paper art portray epic concepts--the evolving biography of the universe and the symbiotic relationship between science and story.

Since the beginning, humans have created stories about the universe. From early mythology to modern-day science is a long journey, yet 95 percent of the world "out there" remains a mystery. What will we believe tomorrow? Marion Dane Bauer's glowing poetry combines with Hari & Deepti's intricate cut-paper illustrations, dazzling with light and shadow, to celebrate an active, vital, changing, and growing universe. They also show how we humans--the curious ones, the storytellers--are active, vital, changing, and growing, too. In a comprehensive afterword, the author tracks formative contributions to the study of the universe by Western and non-Western civilizations over the centuries.

Author Notes

Marion Dane Bauer was born in Oglesby, Illinois. She attended community college first, in her home town, and then went to the University of Missouri when she was a junior to study journalism. She quickly realized that journalism was not for her and changed her focus to the humanities and a degree in English literature. She switched one last time to focus on teaching english, which she did when she graduated college.

After her children were born, Bauer decided to try her hand at writing. She started out with a children's picture book, but discovered that youg adult novels were more to her taste. After making a career out of writing, Bauer became the first Faculty Chair at Vermont College for the only Master of Fine Arts in Writing program devoted exclusively to writing for children and young adults.

Bauer is the author of more than forty books for young people. She has won many awards, including a Jane Addams Peace Association Award for her novel Rain of Fire and an American Library Association Newbery Honor Award for On My Honor and the Kerlan Award from the University of Minnesota for the body of her work. Her picture book My Mother is Mine was a New York Times bestseller.

(Bowker Author Biography)

Reviews (2)

School Library Journal Review

Gr 1--4--Written in beautiful lyrical poetry, award-winning author Bauer presents a tale of human endeavor and history. This picture book tells the story of how the curiosity, questioning, and struggle of human beings has led to discovery and change. She begins with, "Birds sing. Bees dance. Wolves howl, 'I am here! I am here!' But we are the ones who tell stories." These wonderful words are aptly paired with shimmering colors and intricate cut-paper artwork. This thought-provoking book takes readers on the journey from early mythology to modern science and ponders the symbiotic relationship between science and story. The poems come full circle, ending with, "Dogs bow. Prairie dogs kiss. Fireflies flash, 'Come to Me! Come to Me!' Trees talk to one another underground. And we, the curious ones, the ones who discover, tell stories." When shared with young readers, these poems will spark discussion about the power of story and our part in the universe. Students will be encouraged to look at stories with new eyes, ask questions, and engage in thoughtful discussion that promotes higher level thinking skills. Somewhat reminiscent of the questioning response evoked in Oliver Jeffers's Here We Are, Jon J Muth's The Three Questions, and Kobi Yamada's Noticing, this work might also be paired with Rebecca Lewis-Oakes's STEAM title Mythical Science. A comprehensive afterword explores how early folktales described the universe and more. VERDICT A book of poems that asks philosophical questions to provoke thought, encourage curiosity, and inspire young readers with a new appreciation and understanding about the world around them.--Carole Phillips

Publisher's Weekly Review

Tackling a wide-ranging history of thought about the universe, Bauer describes the transformation of stories that humans--"the curious ones"--tell about their surroundings. Once describing a flat world that rested on a turtle, humans' tales change after those "who dare challenge/ even the stories/ we love" ask if the world might be not flat, but round. As generations pass, others ask whether the earth might revolve around the sun, leading to seemingly limitless concepts ("the universe is expanding"). Glittering with stars and pulsing with color and light, photographed dioramas constructed by married team Hari & Deepti convey a sense of limitless space that dwarfs the stylized, shadowy human figures who see themselves in constellations. The collaborators bring sweep and majesty to the concept of paradigmatic change, communicating the challenge and excitement in revolutionary new ways of thinking and telling. An afterword discusses the book's roots in the idea of quantum gravity. Ages 6--9. (Nov.)