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A Brief History of Life on Earth
The story of life on earth unfolds in dramatic fashion in this amazing concertina picture book that takes readers from 4.6 billion years ago to the present day.
It's difficult to grasp the enormous changes life on Earth has undergone since it first came into existence, but this marvelously illustrated book makes learning about our planet's fascinating history easy and entertaining. In an accordion style, the series of pages take readers through every major geological period, with bright artwork and detailed drawings. Opening on lava-filled oceans and smoking volcanoes, the book unfolds, era by era, to show how life evolved from tiny protozoa and crustaceans to dinosaurs and mammals. Fully expanded to 8 meters (26 feet), this spectacular visual timeline is a very impressive panorama that reveals evolution in all its glory. Each page is brimming with illustrations that readers will turn to again and again. A celebration of life, this extraordinary and beautiful book illuminates the history of Earth for young readers in an unforgettable and delightful way.
It's difficult to grasp the enormous changes life on Earth has undergone since it first came into existence, but this marvelously illustrated book makes learning about our planet's fascinating history easy and entertaining. In an accordion style, the series of pages take readers through every major geological period, with bright artwork and detailed drawings. Opening on lava-filled oceans and smoking volcanoes, the book unfolds, era by era, to show how life evolved from tiny protozoa and crustaceans to dinosaurs and mammals. Fully expanded to 8 meters (26 feet), this spectacular visual timeline is a very impressive panorama that reveals evolution in all its glory. Each page is brimming with illustrations that readers will turn to again and again. A celebration of life, this extraordinary and beautiful book illuminates the history of Earth for young readers in an unforgettable and delightful way.
76 pages, Hardcover
Published April 9, 2019
89 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 20, 2019
This book has been absolutely perfect for my five-year-old daughter, who has been learning about natural history and prehistory as part of her kindergarten homeschool curriculum. When we received this book a few weeks ago, she was eager to fold it out and start looking for the creatures she recognized, including archaeopteryx, tyrannosaurus rex, and the sabre-toothed tiger. Sadly, my three-year-old got a little rough with the book and ripped a few of the pages, which I had to repair with Scotch tape. Still, even with the damage, it's one of the most interesting science books we own, and I'll be hanging onto it to use again when my younger two girls reach kindergarten. (I also think it's a book with appeal to a broad range of ages, including science-loving adults!)
March 9, 2019
I cannot tell you how cool it is to read a book that begins at the earth's start ends at present day. It is such a spectacular story, with so many facts, figures and the history written in a way that it is easy to understand for all readers. I loved the illustrations and that this book expands to 26 feet, the length of a triceratops. This book covers so much and will keep you engaged, entertained and learning in a new and exciting way. I love when books take new and interesting approaches to topics. This book is both creatively designed, but also brilliantly laid out and executed. A hit and a perfect book for home and school!
April 16, 2019
This history of the earth and its inhabitants unfolds over time in this accordion-style book, taking readers from the very beginning of earth's life 4.6 billion years ago when it was just a boiling hot ocean, through each period of growth and formation, past, for example, the now familiar Jurassic Period to the present day or Holocene Epoch and beyond. As readers turn the pages, they can explore each of the 16 ages in the earth's life and see what changes each contributed, including the formations of oceans, volcanoes, lands, forests, mountains, as well as life forms such as plants, fish, birds, insects, and animals (which would include mankind).
Each age has a paragraph long clear and coherent explanation describing that period, with simple, labeled illustrations on every page. The illustrations are done in a folk art style, and in soft earth tones to match each era.
Young readers will want to explore each page extensively, so be prepared for lots of questions. This is the kind of book that will lead many to want visit the nearest natural history museum for more understanding and subsequent continued readings of this wonderful book. The accordion-style unfolds to 26 feet, which just happens to be the same length as a triceratops. When the book is unfolded to its complete length, you really get the idea of how old the earth is and what a wonderful place of change and evolution it is, which makes the last page all that much more poignant and important - a single human standing on a glacier that is melting, asking the question of all readers "And what now?" The future of earth is in our hands and how we treat it now will determine its future. Turn the unfolded book over and there is a timeline of earth's first 4.6 billion years.
This is the book I have been using to introduce my young readers to Earth Day and its importance, but it's a book we will be going back to again and again. It is just that wonderful.
Each age has a paragraph long clear and coherent explanation describing that period, with simple, labeled illustrations on every page. The illustrations are done in a folk art style, and in soft earth tones to match each era.
Young readers will want to explore each page extensively, so be prepared for lots of questions. This is the kind of book that will lead many to want visit the nearest natural history museum for more understanding and subsequent continued readings of this wonderful book. The accordion-style unfolds to 26 feet, which just happens to be the same length as a triceratops. When the book is unfolded to its complete length, you really get the idea of how old the earth is and what a wonderful place of change and evolution it is, which makes the last page all that much more poignant and important - a single human standing on a glacier that is melting, asking the question of all readers "And what now?" The future of earth is in our hands and how we treat it now will determine its future. Turn the unfolded book over and there is a timeline of earth's first 4.6 billion years.
This is the book I have been using to introduce my young readers to Earth Day and its importance, but it's a book we will be going back to again and again. It is just that wonderful.
August 6, 2019
This unique book begins at the very beginning of Earth, over 4 billion years ago. The opening picture shows the earth as an ocean of lava with volcanos all around. This age is aptly named the Hadean Age after Hades, the god of the underworld. Each age gets progressively cooler (including one that freezes everything) and eventually, signs of life begin to emerge on the pages.
The pages of the book are heavy quality and are very durable for kids. The pages are folded in accordion style so, at the end of the book, the pages can be opened up into a panoramic vision of all the ages or flipped over for a full timeline of all the ages.
I barely remember learning about the various ages in school and our kids said these time-periods were talked about very little. I found the early aquatic life and plants very interesting. As the pages begin to add more life, there is also more color on the pages. They become more vibrant and interesting. Each of the species on the pages is labeled and I think kids will find it interesting to find the early animals that resemble animals they are familiar with now.
I found this book very fascinating and I think older elementary-aged kids will as well. It’s a great educational book and one that could be useful in the classroom.
The pages of the book are heavy quality and are very durable for kids. The pages are folded in accordion style so, at the end of the book, the pages can be opened up into a panoramic vision of all the ages or flipped over for a full timeline of all the ages.
I barely remember learning about the various ages in school and our kids said these time-periods were talked about very little. I found the early aquatic life and plants very interesting. As the pages begin to add more life, there is also more color on the pages. They become more vibrant and interesting. Each of the species on the pages is labeled and I think kids will find it interesting to find the early animals that resemble animals they are familiar with now.
I found this book very fascinating and I think older elementary-aged kids will as well. It’s a great educational book and one that could be useful in the classroom.
March 6, 2019
Will be reviewing this on my blog, but I think it is stellar and my students will love it. I am surprised given the unusual format, which works wonderfully, that it isn't more expensive!
April 30, 2019
The 26-foot timeline IS cool. But, overall, this book left me unimpressed. My full review can be read here: https://agoodreid.blogspot.com/2019/0...
March 19, 2019
Have you ever read a book that folds out the length of a triceratops? Don’t panic, you’ll find these pages full of fun and interesting information regarding earth and its different ages, periods and earths plants and animals.
Earth’s process of life began 4.6 billion years ago. Single cell animals began to appear at around 4 billion years. As aquatic life continued to develop and grow. At the 300 million year mark earth had developed trees, insects and even animals. As the temperatures changed so did the various creatures. Each of these periods of major change have a very specific name such as Proterozoic, Devonian, Paleogene and more. As readers flip through these sturdy two-sided pages they can easily navigate each period and see how man and animal lived and survived.
The back pages are where readers can see the very expansive time line in which the earth changed. There are notes that share with readers when humans stand, discover fire, master fire and so on. Colorful illustrations depict the habitants and habitats of life on earth. Parents and teachers will find this guide to be handy in teaching how life evolved and even how plants and animals migrated from water to land.
Earth’s process of life began 4.6 billion years ago. Single cell animals began to appear at around 4 billion years. As aquatic life continued to develop and grow. At the 300 million year mark earth had developed trees, insects and even animals. As the temperatures changed so did the various creatures. Each of these periods of major change have a very specific name such as Proterozoic, Devonian, Paleogene and more. As readers flip through these sturdy two-sided pages they can easily navigate each period and see how man and animal lived and survived.
The back pages are where readers can see the very expansive time line in which the earth changed. There are notes that share with readers when humans stand, discover fire, master fire and so on. Colorful illustrations depict the habitants and habitats of life on earth. Parents and teachers will find this guide to be handy in teaching how life evolved and even how plants and animals migrated from water to land.
January 27, 2019
Le point fort du livre, de très belles illustrations. J'aurais aimé avoir plus d'explications sur les causes d'apparition ou de disparition de certains phénomènes, mais ça restera un beau voyage dans le temps qui donne à voir les différentes périodes traversées par la Terre depuis sa naissance. On la voit se transformer, la flore et la faune se développer, et on comprend qu'on pèse très peu dans l'histoire.
November 4, 2023
It’s a book folds out the length of a triceratops (8 metre!) introduce lots of animals on the front and shows the timeline of 4.6 billions. It’s well visualised that what a short time of human history is!
June 4, 2019
A great way to visualize the earth history since it’s creation
September 24, 2021
This was such a fun book! I really enjoy interactive books like this one, but the art and information were beautifully presented. Definitely for those curious about how old the earth actually is.
September 15, 2023
lovely short presentation of the bio of the earth.
June 4, 2019
So clever and beautiful!This book is so beautiful, useful, and just plain neat! First, I love that it folds out (as does Trent!).
When folded out, it reaches 26 feet with one side showing the images created by the author for each of the time periods while the other side has a timeline which is to scale showing how long respectively each time period was.
This book is a work of art. How each time period stands alone yet also is part of the entire timeline when folded out is beautiful to see. Additionally, I adore the artist’s technique of art with rough edges and bright colors.
Each spread focuses on one time period and the life on Earth at the time with a brief write up in the bottom left corner; however, many of the organisms/animals/plants not mentioned in the paragraph are labeled allowing readers to jump into inquiry about them if they wish.
Full review: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=1...
When folded out, it reaches 26 feet with one side showing the images created by the author for each of the time periods while the other side has a timeline which is to scale showing how long respectively each time period was.
This book is a work of art. How each time period stands alone yet also is part of the entire timeline when folded out is beautiful to see. Additionally, I adore the artist’s technique of art with rough edges and bright colors.
Each spread focuses on one time period and the life on Earth at the time with a brief write up in the bottom left corner; however, many of the organisms/animals/plants not mentioned in the paragraph are labeled allowing readers to jump into inquiry about them if they wish.
Full review: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=1...
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews