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Ancestory: The Mystery and Majesty of Ancient Cave Art

by Hannah Salyer

A visual journey into ancient rock art

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Awards & Recognition

  • Editorial selection

    New York Public Library Top Ten Best Book of 2023 for Children

    Named a Top Ten Best Book of 2023 for Children

  • Critical praise

    ALA Booklist starred review

    Starred review praising the illustrations' precision and their capture of prehistoric artwork's beauty and power

AlbakiReads Editorial

A visual journey into ancient rock art

Ancestory brings together prehistoric art and questions about the people who made it. Hannah Salyer’s illustrations range from North American deserts to caves in Papua New Guinea, presenting paintings, drawings, and etchings found across the world. The book treats the meaning and makers of these images as an ongoing investigation, linking traces on stone to the stories people have passed across generations. Back matter extends the exploration with a map of rock-art sites, information about the Lascaux Caves, a glossary, a timeline, and an author’s note.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Children ages 4–8 interested in art and prehistory
  • Young readers who enjoy illustrated nonfiction about ancient people and places
  • Families or educators exploring anthropology, geography, or rock art

Themes

Ancient rock artPrehistoryHuman storytellingArt and archaeologyGeography

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

*A NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY TOP TEN BEST BOOK OF 2023 FOR CHILDREN * A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR * A KIRKUS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR * A BOOKLIST EDITORS' CHOICE OF THE YEAR *

★ "Vivid . . . mesmerizing . . . intriguing." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

★ "Breathtaking illustrations capture the beauty and power of prehistoric artwork with remarkable precision." --ALA Booklist (starred review)

★ "Visually stunning. A fascinating look at a still-unfurling human history." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)

This striking nonfiction picture book investigates who created ancient wall art that's been discovered around the world and why--the exact answers may be out of reach, but the investigation is half the fun. Complete with extensive back matter, including a bonus double foldout gatefold, Ancestory is perfect company for pictorial nonfiction by Jason Chin and Candace Fleming.

Around the world, our ancient ancestors' mysterious art is left behind on cave walls, in rainforests, and with ink made from charcoal and crushed clay. These people told their stories in magnificent drawings that still speak to us today, echoing across generations.

In her own stunning artwork that features the deserts of North America to the caves of Papua New Guinea, Hannah Salyer showcases ancient rock paintings, drawings, and etchings and invites us to add to the ongoing story--our ancestory.

    A winning combo of art and science.Curriculum tie-in potential to prehistory, art, anthropology, and geography.Stunning artwork and design.Robust back matter includes world map with keyed rock art sites, author's note, info about the Lascaux Caves, glossary, and timeline.Read more books by Hannah Salyer such as Packs: Strength in Numbers.
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