You Are My Pride

★ ”A love letter to humans, all of whom originated in Africa. Told in second person by Africa herself…in beautifully evocative free verse… Lewis’ gorgeous, dreamlike watercolors sharpen as they move closer to contemporary life….A strikingly illustrated, innovative story of human evolution at the intersections of science and art.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ ”Boston Weatherford’s affectionate letter from the cradle of humankind begins, ‘I am the mother of all humanity,/ I have a long history and a longer memory./ Most of all, I remember you,/ my offspring of all colors/ in all corners of the earth.’..Lewis wields watercolor to pristine effect in depicting vast and varied landscapes. A timeline of human evolution concludes.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“There is a deep, melodic cadence to the words of You Are My Pride, a lyrical appeal to the world’s children to remember their planet and take care of it…Lewis’ watercolor illustrations are the perfect complement, capturing the watery swirl from which humans evolved into upright creatures and developed the skills to survive in nature…The genre-crossing nature makes this an ideal title for both the science and ELA classrooms—or simply as a read-aloud with the potential for rich discussion.” —Booklist

“Earth speaks directly to humanity in this heartfelt poem…Enhanced by captivating watercolor illustrations, the story delves into human evolution, emphasizing Mother Africa’s profound affection for all living beings. A recommended addition to large library collections, especially appealing to poetry enthusiasts and those captivated by humanity’s evolutionary tale.” —School Library Journal