A powerful, thoughtful and bold comment on humanity and its future from one of today’s most thought-provoking artists. In his first picture book created specifically with a wider audience in mind, Oliver Jeffers shares a history of humanity and his dreams for its future. Where are we going?
With his bold, exquisite artwork, Oliver Jeffers starts at the dawn of humankind following people on their journey from then until now, and then offers the reader a challenge: where do we go from here?
How can we think about the future of the human race more than our individual lives?
How can we save ourselves?
How can we change our story?
Illustrated in his instantly recognisable style, Oliver Jeffers’s exploration of the state of the world today is insightful, moving and powerful. A must-have for every forward-thinking person who wants the next generation to inherit a world to be proud of.
“Every new Jeffers book is a cause for celebration and his beautiful artwork and gentle humour teach a lesson in sharing that’s as valuable for adults as for children” Daily Mail
“In Jeffers’ new picture book, inspired by his sculpture trail ‘Our Place in Space’, a father takes his children on a ride through time and space, and shows them the conflicts that have taken place on Earth. A mind-bending tale that is also a reminder and celebration of home” The Bookseller
“Beautifully illustrated” Good Housekeeping
Praise for Here We Are:
‘The witty images are atmospheric and full of enthralling detail’ Nicolette Jones, The Times
‘An optimistic snapshot of contemporary life, this heartfelt hug of a book ought to become a classic’ Guardian
‘Beautiful illustrations’ Creative Review
‘There is a childlike awe and wonder about the stars and planets in the book’ The Irish Times
‘Delightfully illustrated’ Time
‘Beautifully illustrated’ Artists & Illustrators
‘This performer had assured pace and charm. The storytelling was captivating and a beautifully realised gem, with a surprise ending. Gorgeous!’ Audio Production Awards judges
Author
About Oliver Jeffers
Oliver Jeffers has won numerous awards and delighted millions of kids and parents alike with his beautifully hand illustrated stories.
Jeffers's picture books are wonderfully accessible. They explore themes of friendship, loneliness, independence and imagination. He has written and illustrated, or "made", as he prefers to put it, five hugely successful picture books. The first three - the "boy books" - feature a small boy who sets off on a series of daunting quests. How to Catch a Star (2004), the first of them, was inspired by a Brer Rabbit story he read as a child. In Lost and Found (2005) the boy heroically rows to the south pole for the sake of an unhappy penguin, and in The Way Back Home (2007) he rescues a young Martian whose spaceship has crashed on the moon.
The Heart and the Bottle is wholly compelling for the importance of its message and the brilliance of how that is conveyed in words and pictures. This is a book to return to time and time again says Julia Eccleshare, Lovereading4kids’ editorial expert.
Jeffers was born in Australia in 1977 and brought up in Belfast. He studied visual communication at the University of Ulster, and graduated in 2001. Jeffers became passionate about making picture books when he began to understand the subtle relationship between words and pictures – ‘that was what excited me. Until I got really involved, I hadn't realised how just a few words can totally change the meaning of a picture.’ Now living in New York, he works as a painter, designer, printmaker and installation artist, but remains very busy making picture books.
Did you know?
Oliver loves plastic food, suitcase handles and Elvis, and has developed a bizarre habit of endlessly writing lists he never reads. He remains hell bent on travelling all over the world.
You can see Oliver talking about his artwork in this video:
We have a super set of Oliver Jeffers activity pages to download :
