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Is There Really a Human Race?
Is there really a human race? Is it going on now all over the place? When did it start? Who said, "Ready, Set, Go"? Did it start on my birthday? I really must know. With these questions, our hero's imagination is off and running. Is the human race an obstacle course? Is it a spirit? Does he get his own lane? Does he get his own coach? Written with Jamie Lee Curtis's humor and heart and illustrated with Laura Cornell's worldly wit, Is There Really a Human Race? Is all about relishing the journey and making good choices along the way—because how we live and how we love is how we learn to make the world a better place, one small step at a time.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2006
About the author
Jamie Lee Curtis
38 books198 followersJamie Lee Curtis is a two-time Golden Globe-winning, BAFTA-winning, and Emmy-nominated American film actress and an author of children's books. Although she was initially known as a "scream queen" because of her starring roles in many horror films early in her career such as Halloween (1978 film), The Fog, Prom Night (1980 film) and Terror Train, Curtis has since compiled a body of work that covers many genres. She has received an Emmy Award nomination and two Golden Globe Awards. Her 1998 book, Today I Feel Silly, and Other Moods That Make My Day, made the best-seller list in The New York Times. She is married to actor Christopher Guest (Lord Haden-Guest) and, as the wife of a Lord, is titled Lady Haden-Guest, but she chooses not to use the title when in the United States.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews
July 16, 2014
This is a great book! It has an inspiring story about the journey of life. It is about being kind to others as you go through life and enjoying life. I think all children will be able to learn from this text. They will learn to think about others.
September 19, 2012
The book I selected as a read aloud was "Is there really a human race", written by Jamie Lee Curtis and illustrated by Laura Cornell. This book is perfect for a read aloud for younger students! The illustrations are big, bold and bright. They would be able to keep the students attention and make them interested in the story. The story itself was also very well written. It follows a boy who is learning about race and thinks its literally a race that he must prepare and train for. He goes through the colorfully illustrated pages and wonders about how exactly this race works. At the end of the book he ends up realizing that we should all just try our best because if were rushing we won't see the beauty of the world. The story ends with making friends and helping make the world a better place for the whole human race. I really enjoyed this book and think children would too! It could be used in the beginning of the year when getting to know classmates and how students realize their differences but they are all in this "race" together.
July 15, 2014
The play on words reminds me of when I would always hear fore fathers: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. As a little girl I thought it was four fathers, always wondering about the fourth. So I would definitely do a picture walk to hear the ideas of the students. I would discuss the difference between humans racing and the human race. We can also go into depth about different kinds of races and how it can often feel like a race in life. There is an abundance of vocabulary terms to introduce. I would also talk about the importance of helping each other; Winning is not almost the most important focus point. I definitely recommend this for children and adults.
September 10, 2019
This book is VERY good! I love how it gets the point across of how everything in this world is viewed as a competition, when in reality, it isn't. It shows how we need to slow down and enjoy life without being so focused on "winning," as a means of success.
September 1, 2017
Shouldn't it be looking back at the end that you judge your own race by the help that you lend?
This is just a sampling of the good stuff in this storybook. Well done, Ms. Curtis.
This is just a sampling of the good stuff in this storybook. Well done, Ms. Curtis.
February 7, 2023
Books for children can be childlike, or childish. Or like adults pretending that they still remember what it is to live as a child. (When they don't.) (And when any card-carrying kid can tell the diff.)
Sometimes a book for children can be refreshingly profound, even thought-provoking. Which is definitely true of "Is There Really a Human Race?"
So. Much. Wisdom.
I feel grateful this book is in the world, and so successful. Well deserved success. Magnificent!
(Plus, lovely photos of author and illustrator on the back cover. Icing on this cake.)
Sometimes a book for children can be refreshingly profound, even thought-provoking. Which is definitely true of "Is There Really a Human Race?"
So. Much. Wisdom.
I feel grateful this book is in the world, and so successful. Well deserved success. Magnificent!
(Plus, lovely photos of author and illustrator on the back cover. Icing on this cake.)
February 17, 2023
Had to listen to Jamie read this because of an interview she did where she spoke about it with Colin Farrell. So beautiful, and so reflective of life. Life is a great art.
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February 17, 2020Text to teaching:
This book can be taught to teach children that it’s ok to look different from others, we are all not the same. Also, it’s ok to make friends with each and everyone no matter if he or she is blue purple or green. It’s all about making good choices, making friends and loving one another. An activity I would use in the classroom would be to have the kids make me a booklet of different cultures with different types of foods and different types of friends and show and tell to the class.
This book can be taught to teach children that it’s ok to look different from others, we are all not the same. Also, it’s ok to make friends with each and everyone no matter if he or she is blue purple or green. It’s all about making good choices, making friends and loving one another. An activity I would use in the classroom would be to have the kids make me a booklet of different cultures with different types of foods and different types of friends and show and tell to the class.
August 30, 2020
A child asks his mother about the misconeptions he has about the phrase "The Human Race." He thinks it means a footrace. This book is used to teach children that we are all people together, and we aren't out here racing to the finish, but we need to help each other.
This book is okay. It has a bunch of morals shoved into a small package. Children need to learn these, but I think it only sort of hits the mark. I feel like there are better ways to teach kids this life lesson.
I don't think I would have this book in my classroom. Not because I'm anti-diversity, but because I think I would have a hard time finding a place to read this to them. It would probably just sit in a bookshelf, not to be touched by kids, or me.
This book is okay. It has a bunch of morals shoved into a small package. Children need to learn these, but I think it only sort of hits the mark. I feel like there are better ways to teach kids this life lesson.
I don't think I would have this book in my classroom. Not because I'm anti-diversity, but because I think I would have a hard time finding a place to read this to them. It would probably just sit in a bookshelf, not to be touched by kids, or me.
June 19, 2021
Belongs to that increasingly large category of books parents force their children to read with them so the parent can feel better about themselves. Terrible.
November 16, 2015
I love, love, love this book and how many examples it gives of all the ways that we can be different and still be great. I adore all the questions the boy asks along the way as he seeks to find out if there really is a human 'race'. When his questions culminate with a "crash", it leads to some beautiful suggestions of how we can foster each other, the humans, in the race. What a great book to use with children in elementary school, in Sunday school, or even just at home as a bedtime story, to illustrate our many differences and the notion that we all need to slow down, work together and enjoy the journey that we are luck enough to be on.
January 20, 2008
My daughter who is three LOVES this book and asks to read it everyday...I think it speaks to our fast paced culture perhaps better than any "grown-up" book I've read. Sometimes, I read it when she's not even here...
November 11, 2017
Goodreads Pt. 2
Summary:
Is there a Human Race? is about a young boy who starts to question if there is actually a race between the humans. As the story goes on, he questions things like what would happen if he makes a wrong turn in the race, is he ever coming back from his mistake? While these are the type of deep questions he is asking himself about the race, at the end he decided that life is not a race and that we should slow down and enjoy every moment of it. Additionally, while questioning society’s “rules” that are what essentially dictate this “race”, the young boy teaches us that in the end we should judge our own race by the help that we lend in the way.
Major Themes:
I consider that privilege and competitiveness are the major themes of this story. The whole book describes what the race of life is all about because of the rules society has imposed to us. I think that because of competitiveness is why we have so many conflicts amongst countries now a day.
Personal Response:
I enjoyed so much this book that even though it is meant for young kids, I would still read it again. As I read it, I kept thinking to myself that we are living in a world where we want to determine who is better than who and who is faster than the other. I totally agree with Jamie Lee Curtis that “sometimes it’s better not to go to fast because there are beautiful sights to be seen when you’re last”
My Recommendation:
I would totally recommend this book to younger kids because it gives us many hidden lessons about life. This is a really deep book as it gives us many insights about life that may be unnoticed by us in our daily basis like for example, some people prefer to only win in life and just not care about helping others.
Summary:
Is there a Human Race? is about a young boy who starts to question if there is actually a race between the humans. As the story goes on, he questions things like what would happen if he makes a wrong turn in the race, is he ever coming back from his mistake? While these are the type of deep questions he is asking himself about the race, at the end he decided that life is not a race and that we should slow down and enjoy every moment of it. Additionally, while questioning society’s “rules” that are what essentially dictate this “race”, the young boy teaches us that in the end we should judge our own race by the help that we lend in the way.
Major Themes:
I consider that privilege and competitiveness are the major themes of this story. The whole book describes what the race of life is all about because of the rules society has imposed to us. I think that because of competitiveness is why we have so many conflicts amongst countries now a day.
Personal Response:
I enjoyed so much this book that even though it is meant for young kids, I would still read it again. As I read it, I kept thinking to myself that we are living in a world where we want to determine who is better than who and who is faster than the other. I totally agree with Jamie Lee Curtis that “sometimes it’s better not to go to fast because there are beautiful sights to be seen when you’re last”
My Recommendation:
I would totally recommend this book to younger kids because it gives us many hidden lessons about life. This is a really deep book as it gives us many insights about life that may be unnoticed by us in our daily basis like for example, some people prefer to only win in life and just not care about helping others.
February 2, 2024
A boy going through life as a race questions what the “human race” is all about. Is it about winning? Is it about being the best? The smartest, the most athletic, the fastest, the slowest? This boy questions everything life is about, and when did it start, and when did it end. He realizes that it may be okay to be last, and to take in all the beautiful sights and things life has to offer, because that is better than always trying to be ahead.
I enjoyed this book, it was very quick and short, but provides a very good message for kids as they are navigating their lives and school. The message of taking in the journey and making good choices can be super important at a young age. Children reading this book can understand that it is the way we live and love that makes the world a good place, not always how we succeed or how fast we get things done. The illustrations in the book were very well thought out, they showed chaos, uncomfortable situations, and differences but also showed peace and slow times with comfort.
This book I think can be a very important lesson in the classroom, especially to be read at the beginning of the year. This can teach students that not everything in life and in the classroom is a race. Lots of students like to try and be the first ones done, or have their work in early, and sometimes this is good, but other times they miss everything in between and don’t get the complete lesson from it. Letting them know at the beginning of the year that doing their best work, no matter how long it takes, or if they are not the first ones, will always be perfectly okay, and this can be taught through this book.
I enjoyed this book, it was very quick and short, but provides a very good message for kids as they are navigating their lives and school. The message of taking in the journey and making good choices can be super important at a young age. Children reading this book can understand that it is the way we live and love that makes the world a good place, not always how we succeed or how fast we get things done. The illustrations in the book were very well thought out, they showed chaos, uncomfortable situations, and differences but also showed peace and slow times with comfort.
This book I think can be a very important lesson in the classroom, especially to be read at the beginning of the year. This can teach students that not everything in life and in the classroom is a race. Lots of students like to try and be the first ones done, or have their work in early, and sometimes this is good, but other times they miss everything in between and don’t get the complete lesson from it. Letting them know at the beginning of the year that doing their best work, no matter how long it takes, or if they are not the first ones, will always be perfectly okay, and this can be taught through this book.
November 19, 2020
Author: Jamie Lee Curtis
Illustrator: Laura Cornell
Reading Level: k-3
Book Level: 2.0
Book Summary: This story tells ones journey about making good choices throughout life because how we as individuals learn how to live and love to make the world a better place each and everyday, one step at a time. It's not a race, rather it is a process of learning and growing.
Bookshelf Writing Mentor Text:
Sentence fluency- There is constant rhyming used by the author in this book. For example she says “ Sometimes it’s better not to go fast. There are beautiful sights to be seen when you’re last”. Or “Shouldn't it be looking back at the end that you judge your own race by the help that you lend?”
Voice- I would say that there is a lot of voice in this book. When I read it aloud, my voice sounds uplifting and encouraging to students. I am showing them that it is important to choose your own journeys in life and go at your own speed that is best suited to you.
This is a great book to use as a resource for young students to reflect on what they might want to do on their journeys in life and that there is no right or wrong way.
Illustrator: Laura Cornell
Reading Level: k-3
Book Level: 2.0
Book Summary: This story tells ones journey about making good choices throughout life because how we as individuals learn how to live and love to make the world a better place each and everyday, one step at a time. It's not a race, rather it is a process of learning and growing.
Bookshelf Writing Mentor Text:
Sentence fluency- There is constant rhyming used by the author in this book. For example she says “ Sometimes it’s better not to go fast. There are beautiful sights to be seen when you’re last”. Or “Shouldn't it be looking back at the end that you judge your own race by the help that you lend?”
Voice- I would say that there is a lot of voice in this book. When I read it aloud, my voice sounds uplifting and encouraging to students. I am showing them that it is important to choose your own journeys in life and go at your own speed that is best suited to you.
This is a great book to use as a resource for young students to reflect on what they might want to do on their journeys in life and that there is no right or wrong way.
April 20, 2022
Not super impressed with the book as a whole or the story or the quality of the illustrations buuuut some of the illustrations are quite funny and it’s pretty inclusive illustration wise - different races , religions, nationalities, & genders, which is nice. I like the overall message that the book is trying to spread, though it’s only in the very end of the book.
This is the ending:
“Sometimes it’s better to not go so fast. There are beautiful sights to be seen when you’re last.
Shouldn’t it be that you just try your best?
And that’s more important than beating the rest?
Shouldn’t it be looking back at the end
that you judge your own race by the help that you lend?
So, take what’s inside you and make big, bold choices.
And for those who can’t speak for themselves, use bold voices.
And make friends and love well, bring art to this place.
And make the world better for the whole human race.”
This is the ending:
“Sometimes it’s better to not go so fast. There are beautiful sights to be seen when you’re last.
Shouldn’t it be that you just try your best?
And that’s more important than beating the rest?
Shouldn’t it be looking back at the end
that you judge your own race by the help that you lend?
So, take what’s inside you and make big, bold choices.
And for those who can’t speak for themselves, use bold voices.
And make friends and love well, bring art to this place.
And make the world better for the whole human race.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2017
"Is There Really a Human Race" is about a small, young boy who goes through multiple obstacles to figure out if life really is a race. He finds that it isn't a race at all actually. He can come to realize that it should be lived with intention and purpose. This book was GREAT!! It is very appropriate for all ages, but especially for kids going through the nervous transition of not understanding life quite yet. It is also great for kids that are learning about what diversity is. I think this book could be used to teach acceptance to diversity from a young age. It also could be used to help children learn that all of life isn't a competition.
March 26, 2024
My now 18 year old daughter brought this book up the other day. It was one of her very favorite books for me to read to her when she was little. I had kind of forgotten about it to be honest, but when she brought it up it all flooded back. We read so many books together, but my inquisitive little preschooler always came back to this one. Wonderful inclusive and loving lesson taught in a fun and sensitive way. It made her ask good questions, and helped me to teach her to be the wonderful grown human she has become. Love
September 23, 2017
This book is something I would recommend to all teachers! There were so many beautiful colors that would keep the students entertained and paying attention. The book also rhymed pretty well so its a book that students would enjoy reading. The book was a good lesson on helping people and the world around people. It was a good book for kids to read in their down time but also a good book for teachers to read to the whole class.
January 12, 2019
Is There Really a Human Race? is not my favorite Jamie Lee Curtis book, although I do have a few favorite lines.
Am I jockey or am I a horse?...Unfortunately, that appears to be the last fun line before the story turns from fun to a tad bit moralizing. This particular moralizing is not objectionable, just disjointed from the fun of the first part of the book.
July 23, 2019
What a lovely and colorful story about character building! The gist is at the end, "Sometimes it's better not to go fast. There are beautiful sights to be seen when you're last. Shouldn't it be that you just try your best? And that's more important than beating the rest. Shouldn't is be looking back at the end that you judge your own race by the help that you lend? So take what's inside you and make big bold dioceses. And for those who can't speak for themselves, use bold voices."
August 9, 2017
I love this book! "So take what's inside you and make big, bold choices. And for those who can't speak for themselves, use Bold voices. And make friends and love well, bring art to this place. And the world better for the whole human race." What a great book to teach little ones about the golden rule. I will definitely be adding this one to my home library.
March 19, 2018
I first read this years ago when it came out. I loved it then and I still love it now. It’s a play on words with a kid asking what is a human race. Is it really a race? I love the sing song pattern and the rhyme, but only now in my second reading do I realize it needs more variety in the illustrations on the people represented as it is talking about the HUMAN race.
February 5, 2019
This is still one of my favorite picture books to read to my kids. The book begins with questions about purpose and pace and ends a with a beautiful perspective of loving one another and lightening burdens born, all in a simple way with whimsical illustrations. Read it once for the text and a second time for the illustrations, then repeat.
I’ll share a favorite line or seven soon.
I’ll share a favorite line or seven soon.
July 21, 2020
Absolutely, hands down one of the best children’s books ever written. I read this to my children all of the time, and now buy it for every cousin, grandchild, niece and nephew that is born. AMAZING. I love it. Love love love it. Read it. I don’t care how old you are. Read it. Out loud. Absorb it. Just...read it.
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November 29, 2020I liked this book a lot. I think that the author does a really nice job explaining in a children-friendly way that life is more than just a competition. The use of rhyming keeps the story engaging, along with bright and detailed illustrations. It teaches a strong, moral lesson on how to be bold and make good choices throughout the "race" of life while still being entertaining and humorous.
July 25, 2017
Another self image encouraging book from Ms Curtis. Illustrations are a bit on the wild side so might be overwhelming to special needs children; but other than that my adult special needs son and I enjoyed this story that was written mostly in rhyme.
September 27, 2017
While I like Curtis's books, I'm not enormously in love with them. However, this is a very cool book. I love how the idea of the human "race" is depicted in the illustrations, where everything seems to be in such a hurry.
Very, very nice story.
Very, very nice story.
April 26, 2018
I really loved this book! It is a fun idea, the "human race" and I thought it was hilarious to make a book about a literal race of the humans of the world. Very fun and easy going book, also very easy to read.
August 6, 2018
I took my three nephews and a granny to a coffee shop to read this book. It was only the beginning. We read it over and over. I love Jamie Lee Curtis and my own kids grew up on her books. A must get for your lower bookshelves and sticky little fingers that come to visit.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 200 reviews