Evolution: A Celebration of Beautiful Animals

Gr 4-7–From the Aldabra giant tortoise to the wild boar, this compendium of beautiful and extraordinary animals explains the evolution of 50 species and the important role that each plays in the ecosystem. A thoughtful and evocative introduction shares how an appreciation of the beauty of each creature may come from understanding their evolutionary development through epochs of time to modernity. The animals covered span the globe in terms of their native habitats and range in size from the miniature to the enormous. Each entry includes the scientific and common names of the species, its natural history, a discussion of its contributions to its habitat, and a ­detailed illustration of its beauty. A glossary at the end explains scientific terms. While the encyclopedia-style organization eliminates the need for an index, readers will miss suggestions for further reading, as this eloquently written, gorgeous book is sure to spark the curiosity of many.