NPO Human Histories Publishes 'The Story of Humankind,' a History Book for All Ages, from Children to Adults
— Tracing the Journey of Humanity in One Volume with Illustrations and Simple Language. Available in Japanese and English Editions —
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- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 19:00
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Human Histories, a specified non-profit organization (Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo), has published 'The Story of Humankind,' a history book readable by children and adults alike.
This book is designed to be enjoyed by ages 3 to adult, offering a new form of history book that can be viewed like a picture book, researched like an encyclopedia, and savored as a narrative. Available in both Japanese and English editions, it aims to be utilized for parent-child dialogue, homeschooling, school use, language learning, and as an entry point for intercultural understanding.
A Book for All Ages to Learn History Together
Human Histories, a specified non-profit organization, has now published the history book 'The Story of Humankind.'
This book traces the journey of humanity through illustrations and words, from where humans originated, what events they experienced, and how they arrived at the present. It is structured to provide an overview of the entire human journey, rather than the history of a specific country.
It is designed with multiple entry points simultaneously, allowing young children to grasp concepts from the pictures, elementary school students to deepen their understanding by reading the text, and adults to read while contemplating the overall flow and meaning. We aim for this book to spark conversations between parents and children, looking at the same page and asking, 'Why did this happen?'

Tracing the Journey of Humanity from Fire and Tools to Modern Society in One Volume
This book broadly covers the flow of human history, from fire and tools, agriculture, cities, religion, wars, inventions, discoveries, information, treaties, international relations, and contemporary issues. By examining not only inventions and discoveries but also conflicts and failures, we hope it will be an opportunity for readers to consider 'Where do we come from, and how should we live from now on?'
Furthermore, by focusing not only on politics and wars but also on information, treaties, inventions, and discoveries, we have made efforts to make it an entry point for understanding modern society and international relations.


Expanding Learning Entry Points with Japanese and English Editions
'The Story of Humankind' is published in both Japanese and English editions.
The Japanese edition emphasizes ease of reading for elementary school students on their own, with工夫 (ingenuity) to connect kanji with their readings. The English edition aims for clear and accessible English that can reach non-native English speakers as well as children.
Therefore, it expands the possibilities for use not only for family read-alouds and re-learning but also as supplementary material for Japanese and English language learning and intercultural understanding.
An Opportunity to Consider Peace, Human Rights, and Dialogue Through History
Human Histories aims to broaden the foundation for thinking about peace, human rights, and dialogue through learning history.
This book was created not to erase historical differences, but to build a common foundation for discussion, looking at the same things while acknowledging differences.
Children and adults alike can pick up the same book, look at the same page, and talk together.
We hope 'The Story of Humankind' will be one small catalyst for this.

Book Introduction Page
Details here
https://humanhistories.org/ja/story_of_humankind/
Book Overview
Title: 人類史図鑑 (Jinruishi Zukan)
English Title: The Story of Humankind
Author: Human Histories
Publisher: Specified Non-Profit Organization Human Histories
Supported Languages: Japanese and English
Details: https://humanhistories.org/ja/story_of_humankind/
Organization Overview
Organization Name: Specified Non-Profit Organization Human Histories
Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
URL: https://humanhistories.org/
Business Activities: Planning, production, and dissemination of books, websites, etc., to broaden the foundation for learning and dialogue through historical understanding.

Contact Information
Specified Non-Profit Organization Human Histories
E-mail: contact@humanhistories.org
FAQ
What kind of book is 'The Story of Humankind'?
It's a new kind of history book designed for ages 3 to adult, which can be enjoyed as a picture book, used as an encyclopedia, and read as a narrative.
Why are there Japanese and English versions?
To allow for wider use in parent-child dialogue, homeschooling, school settings, and as an entry point for language learning and intercultural understanding.
What message does this book aim to convey?
Through learning history, we aim to broaden the foundation for thinking about peace, human rights, and dialogue, providing a common ground for discussion despite differences.