Publisher: Words & Pictures - Quarto

Copyright Date: 2019

Edition Date: 2019 Release Date: 07/16/19

Illustrator: Bailey, Hannah

Pages: 64 pages

ISBN: 1-7860-3887-0

ISBN 13: 978-1-7860-3887-6

Dewey: 599.93

Dimensions: 31 cm

Subject Heading:
Human evolution. Juvenile literature.
Evolution (Biology). Juvenile literature.
Human beings. Origin. Juvenile literature.
Human evolution.
Evolution (Biology).
Human beings. Origin.

Language: English

Reading Level: 3.0

Interest Level: 2-5

Lexile: 1090L

What makes us human, and where did we come from? How did a clever ape climb down from the trees and change the world like no other animal has done before?

This large-format, highly illustrated book guides readers through the key aspects of the human story, from the anatomical changes that allowed us to walk upright and increased brain size in our ancestors, to the social, cultural, and economic developments of our more recent cousins and our own species. Along the way, focus spreads take a closer look at some of the key species in our history, from the ancient Australopithecus Afarensis, 'Lucy', to our recent cousins the Neanderthals and ourselves, Homo sapiens.

Looking beyond the anatomical evolution of humans, this book explores how our culture and way of living has evolved, from how trails of cowry shells reveal early trade between tribes, to how and why humans first domesticated dogs, horses, and farm animals, and began settling in permanent villages and cities. Through digestible information and absorbing illustration, young readers will be given an insight into their own origins, and what it really means to be a human.

What’s a Human?

Small Beginnings

Age of the Apes

How Do We Know Who Our Ancestors Were?

Walking Upright 

‘Ardi’ the Walker

‘Lucy’ and the First Tools 

Tool Makers

Handy Man 

We Have Fire! 

Upright Human

Somewhere to Live

Heidelberg Man 

Neanderthals

Just Like Us?

Modern Humans

Out of Africa 

Smart Hunters 

Making Life Easier 

Time to Eat! 

Putting Down Roots 

Running with Wolves

Villages, Towns and Cities

Buying and Selling 

Health Care

Jewellery, Trinkets and Charms

Making a Mark 

Good for the Soul

Look Who’s Talking 

Growing Up as a Human 

The ‘Hobbit’: Our Last Cousin

Whatever Next? 

Human Family Tree 

Global Humans 

Index