Billions of Years, Amazing Changes: The Story of Evolution

by Laurence Pringle, Steve Jenkins (Illustrator)

Overview

This highly engaging exploration of the concept of evolution lays out the history of life on earth—what we know and how we know it.

Ever since Charles Darwin revealed his landmark ideas about evolution in 1859, new findings have confirmed, expanded, and refined his concepts. This ALSC Notable children's book brings together the pillars of evidence that support our understanding of evolution. In addition to stunning illustrations, more than fifty photographs capture natural marvels, including awe-inspiring fossils, life forms, and geological wonders. The result is a full and clear account of the monumental evidence supporting the modern view of evolution.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781590787236
Publisher:	Astra Publishing House
Publication date:	10/01/2011
Pages:	112
Product dimensions:	8.60(w) x 9.60(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	1000L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Laurence Pringle has written more than 100 books for young readers, many of them award-winning science titles. Internationally, his books have sold nearly three million copies. He is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Prize from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He lives in West Nyack, New York.

Steve Jenkins received numerous awards and critical praise for his art work and innovative book design. His books have sold more than one million copies worldwide. He passed away in 2022.

Editorial Reviews

Pringle provides an accessible introduction to complex concepts such as natural selection and genetics, paired with Jenkins’s characteristically elegant collages. A chapter about variation opens with a discussion of the differences between dog breeds, and how such variation within a species “makes evolution possible.” Pringle describes missing links as “in-between” fossils that have helped construct a clearer picture of evolutionary stages. Compelling photographs of fossils and living creatures, as well as Jenkins’s paper collages, augment the substantial text. The presentation should help children gain a confident grasp on the fundamentals of evolution. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8–12. (Sept.)

Publishers Weekly

★ "A necessary title for most school and public libraries serving young readers."—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

★ "(This) intelligent and eye-catching book is an engaging, readable lodestone for researchers."—School Library Journal, starred review

★ "A logical, well-organized, easy to understand book about the often controversial issues between evolutionists and creationists." —Library Media Connection, starred review

From the Publisher

Gr 5–8—Pringle's exemplary title offers a carefully researched and clearly written history of the evolutionary process and real-time examples of evolutionary events. "Evolution is, simply, change over time." From floating continents and isolated islands to the formation of fossils, natural selection, and the deductions of Charles Darwin, the lucid text offers a clear understanding of an ongoing natural phenomenon and the light that recent discoveries have brought to bear on it. Clear, color photos complement the text, as does Jenkins's nifty artwork. Pale blue information boxes pop up on occasion, as do a couple of maps. Simpler, and far more lively than Thom Holmes's dry Evolution (Chelsea House, 2011), more difficult than Steve Jenkins's own elegant Life on Earth: The Story of Evolution (Houghton Harcourt, 2002), and more solid than Robert Winston's somewhat fragmentary Evolution Revolution (DK, 2009), Pringle's intelligent and eye-catching book is an engaging, readable lodestone for researchers.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

School Library Journal

A clear, well-organized presentation of the evidence from earth's rocks and fossils, the variation of living things, the process of natural selection and the study of DNA and radiocarbon dating that supports the scientific theory of evolution.

Pringle (Global Warming, 2001) again takes on a complicated and controversial subject, explaining it simply and convincingly for upper-elementary and middle-school readers. He connects his audience to his topic by inviting them to imagine their own ancestors, in order to begin to look back over time. With lively writing and interesting examples from all over the world and from the distant past to the present day, he explains what people once believed and what we now know. Along the way he also introduces theories of continental drift and plate tectonics, defines "species" and other important terms in context and explains the use of the word "theory" in science. Color photographs and Jenkins' signature cut-paper illustrations (both seen only in black and white) along with short chapters, sidebars and an attractive, open layout make this an inviting read. Both the glossary and the suggestions for further reading are extensive.

A necessary title for most school and public libraries serving young readers, this will be welcomed for its calm tone and straightforward, comprehensive introduction to the subject. (index)(Nonfiction. 9-15)

Kirkus Reviews