LIFE ON EARTH: THE STORY OF EVOLUTION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Jenkins, Steve. 2002. LIFE ON EARTH: THE STORY OF EVOLUTION. Boston:
Houghton Mifflin. ISBN 0618164766.


PLOT SUMMARY
In this large picture book format, Jenkins informs a young audience about the story of evolution. The torn paper illustrations provide vivid color against a white background. Beginning with a double page spread followed by another page and half of plants and animals, the reader is drawn into the wonder of how many different plants and animals have lived on Earth. The bold-faced print highlights subheadings, followed by just enough descriptive text to pique interest. The history of life on Earth is detailed, using pictures and smaller print. Darwin and his theory of evolution are introduced with descriptions of natural selection, variation, mutation, and extinction in clear and concise language. All throughout, a smaller print gives more detail and example. In closing, the Earth’s history is paralleled to a 24-hour day, followed by a key to the animals depicted in the text as well as suggestions for further reading and a bibliography.


CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Jenkins has captured a subject that is much debated, yet, rarely published, in a manner in which all readers can find answers and information. The published reviews for this book varied in the age of the intended audience. This is due to the fact that young and old can find significance in this work. The text is easy to understand without feeling juvenile and is coupled with a strong chronological order. The organization of information is sequential, leading from the discussion of the first life on earth to the development of species. Even the topics grow from simple to more complex with history line of life to theory of evolution with its accompanying discussion of survival of the fittest. This particular concept is easily understood through the depiction of a mother frog laying eggs.
The illustrations are bright, attractive and eye-catching, yet, not drawn to scale in any fashion. The author has effectively presented a controversial topic is a manner that gives information and allows readers to draw their own opinions. Although the presentation and style appears simple and straightforward, the topic can be deepened at any point throughout the book. This could be through additional conversations and/or further reading.


REVIEWS
Kirkus Review (October 1, 2002)
“Because evolution is sometimes not taught in all schools, few good texts exist on it for this age. Factual and fascinating, this one belongs in every library. (Nonfiction. 7-12)”

School Library Journal (December 1, 2002)
“Gr 3-6- Larger and more eye-catching than Joanna Cole's Evolution (Crowell, 1987; o.p.), and far simpler than Stephen Webster's The Kingfisher Book of Evolution (Kingfisher, 2000), Life on Earth is a polished exposition of a difficult, often controversial scientific concept. Substantial, despite its picture-book appearance.”

CONNECTIONS
This book is an excellent way to introduce the concept of evolution to anyone, regardless of age.
I believe the title, “Life on Earth,” grabs the reader first and then the subtitle “The Story of Evolution,” draws an interesting prickle! I believe this book serves both sides of the belief system, in that the author states “No one knows when or where life began. Perhaps…” Interestingly enough, the organization and presentation of the appearance of life does parallel biblical order! What a wonderful way to evoke thought!

This work is also a great venture for those children engulfed in the study of dinosaurs. It has information leading into the appearance and disappearance of this species. Again, another great point of questioning.