Small as I am in the universe, I still matter—Discussing Origins with Children
A new book arrived at the bookstore, and as soon as I flipped through it, I was impressed. To tackle such a grand topic with a picture book that isn't overly wordy, and do it so well, is remarkable. I'm talking about Philip Bunting's "The Big History for Kids: Where Do I Come From?
Philip Bunting is an Australian picture book author, very skilled at creating educational picture books on topics such as animals, energy, microorganisms, and more. Green Culture has published a series of his works. These picture books immediately catch your eye because every species/non-species on the cover is looking at you! This one is no exception; not only evolving humans, but even tiny atoms and aliens are telling you: "Flip me open!"
"The Big History for Kids: Where Do I Come From?" Philip Bunting
So I flipped it open, and boom! The Big Bang, then particles coalesced into matter, followed by planets, and Earth appeared! Starting from the warm ocean, life slowly moved onto land, and through evolution, life forms gradually changed until humans emerged as a species. We migrated, settled, built villages and cities, and then you were born!
Such a grand topic, told in one go, without many technical terms, like the rapid-fire changing scenes in a documentary, playing quickly before your eyes. There's no burden of prior knowledge, yet it organizes the underlying narrative of where you come from, at least scientifically. In today's information-rich era, I believe such picture books are incredibly important. They provide a tool for sharing and discussing a massive subject.
"The Big History for Kids: Where Do I Come From?" Philip Bunting
Another eye-opening book, "You Matter," seems to have similar ambitions. The language of the entire book can be described as a poem. Although the illustrations encompass the history of life on Earth, the focus is definitely not on knowledge, but on traversing the cosmos, ancient times, and modern times to convey that every life form is incredibly precious and important. No matter how tiny you are, whether you came first or last, are old or young, feel lonely or have lost loved ones—you matter.
A truly comforting book.
Another picture book that directly answers "How did I come into this world?" and is much loved by children is Eiko Nagano's "The Day Mom Became a Mom" (published by Hoshitsuki Shobō). The book simply recounts the events of the day Mom gave birth to her baby, like a factual diary, but every detail fascinates children, making them want to read it again and again. Especially Mom's distorted face from effort at the moment of birth, and the tears of emotion on her face afterward, become images of love that deeply touch young readers, who always ask for repeated readings.
"The Day Mom Became a Mom"Eiko Nagano
I recall how, when I was little, adults would say I sprang from a rock or was found by the roadside, and I always felt a deep sense of loss. Now, seeing images of their own birth in picture books, the sparkle in young readers' eyes suggests that this is how it should be—telling every child who wants to know "how I came into the world"!
-