Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth

For the parent introducing a new child to our vast, beautiful world. This gentle guide explains how the Earth works and how we can be kind to one another.

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About This Book

A parent would reach for this book when their child asks a big, existential question like 'Where are we?' or when a new sibling arrives and needs an introduction to the world. It is the ultimate guidebook for being a human on Earth, written with a father's warmth and a philosopher's perspective. The book moves from the vastness of the solar system down to the intricate details of the human body and the diversity of people. Through gentle prose and stunning illustrations, Oliver Jeffers emphasizes that while the world is big and complex, the most important rule is simply to be kind. It addresses themes of curiosity, belonging, and the responsibility we have to care for our planet and each other. It is ideal for children ages 0 to 8, serving as a comforting bedtime read that makes the world feel both magnificent and manageable.

Curiosity & Wonder Space Love & Family Empathy & Kindness Nature & Outdoors Joy & Gratitude Loneliness & Belonging The Human Body

What Parents Should Know

Mild PerilMild

A page depicts the vastness of space and the deep sea, which might feel slightly overwhelming.

Sensitive Topics

The book is secular and focuses on science and humanism. It briefly touches on the passage of time and how 'things move slowly here on Earth, except for when they don't,' which can be a metaphor for the fast pace of life. It acknowledges that some people are different from us but all are 'people' just the same.