Educational Justice: A Nikkolas Smith Interview About The History of We

From the moment I saw it, I could see that it was something unique. Something remarkable even.

Now about two years ago I had a running gag with my co-workers about just how popular the Pleistocene was in picture books. I’d joke that you couldn’t throw a dart in a children’s room without hitting two or three of the suckers (Note: Please do not throw darts in children’s rooms). The idea that someone might go back further, then tie everything into the world today in an epic, sweeping, but ultimately understandable picture book? Incomprehensible!

Well… incomprehensible until you take a look at The History of We by Nikkolas Smith (out May 20th). Since this book is a little difficult to encapsulate, I’ll turn to the publisher description for you here:

“An awe-inspiring picture book about the origin and advancement of humans, from author and #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator Nikkolas Smith.

Fossil records show that the first humans were born in Africa. Meaning, every person on Earth can trace their ancestry back to that continent. The History of We celebrates our shared ancestors’ ingenuity and achievements and imagines what these firsts would have looked and felt like.

What was it like for the first person to paint, to make music, to dance, to discover medicine, to travel to unknown lands? It required courage, curiosity, and skill. 

The History of We takes what we know about modern human civilization and, through magnificent paintings, creates a tale about our shared beginnings in a way that centers Black people in humankind’s origin story.”

Now I don’t usually do that many video interviews, but for some folks I’ll make exceptions. And for Nikkolas Smith? Obviously! Enjoy a true behind-the-scenes glimpse.

Big thanks to Nikkolas for taking all that time to talk to me. Thanks too to Jaleesa Davis, Elyse Marshall, and the whole team at Penguin Random Hosuse for helping to set this up. As i mentioned before , The History of We by Nikkolas Smith is out May 20th, so look for it then!

Filed under: Best Books of 2025, Interviews, Videos