Little Humans
“Little humans can do big things”
“Little Humans” by Brandon Stanton is a collection of photographs of children in New York. It is a remarkable representation of many children across ethnic groups. The words are simple enough for very young readers. The portraits themselves say so much, each telling its own story. In the search for books that offer broad representation, this one is a goody.
Stanton’s original concept captured the lives of adults in New York in a blog titled “Humans of New York.” His photographs revealed an intimate look into peoples’ experiences and paired them with honest stories of their lives told in their own words. Stanton’s blog captures the human experience in the voice of the individual subject.
We love that he honored that same idea with Little Humans. Although he created his own narrative, the images of the children speak volumes about their character, their interests, and their lives. His message was clear: children are humans, capable and intelligent, worthy of our attention.
The idea that little humans can do big things encourages our young readers as agents of change with autonomy in their own lives. Adults often assume children are incapable of talking about tough things or overcoming adversity. Yet they show us over and over that they are. We just need to give them the platform and see value in their own voices. What could children do if we all saw them as humans like us?
Some things to think about…
What makes you feel big? What makes you feel small?
If you could wear one outfit that told everyone who you were, what would it be? What can your clothes tell people about you?
Activity Idea: Write a story in the style of Little Humans about your life. What photographs would you include? What would the title of a story about your life be?
From Little Humans by Brandon Stanton
