Creatively Human: Why We Imagine, Make and Innovate

Creativity is everywhere and everyone is creative.

Our brains and bodies are built to make and innovate, and that instinct is as old as humanity itself. Starting when we’re babies, we draw, tell stories, invent, dance, perform, make music, among dozens of other creative acts. Did you know that our ancestors were weaving 12,000 years ago and using pigment to make paintings 17,000 years ago? Today, creativity is all around us, in public and private spaces and places all over the world. From graffiti and flash mobs to music class and TV screens, Creatively Human encourages young readers to look at the world with a creative eye. Explore the origins and impact of ideas and inventions, arts and technology, and learn about the developments and advances that change and improve the lives of everyone. It’s time to recognize and celebrate how everyone--including you--contributes to our world in so many creative ways!

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Lois Peterson writes articles and short stories and is the author of one writing book for adults. This is her 10th children’s book with Orca Book Publishers and her second nonfiction, after Shelter: Homelessness in Our Community. When she is not writing, teaching writing or walking on the beach, she makes art with all kinds of paper, pencils and paint. She lives on Vancouver Island.

Madeline Yee is a Chinese Canadian illustrator with a background in design and science, and a passion for bringing unique stories to life through visuals. She graduated from the Illustration program at the Ontario College of Art and Design University in 2023. Her practice is currently based in Edmonton.