Super Crocs and Monster Wings: Modern Animals' Ancient Past.

The evolutionary history of dragonflies, crocodilians, camels, sloths, armadillos, and beavers is traced from their ancient ancestors to the present day. The introductory chapter provides background information about the geologic time scale, scientific naming system, and how the Earth’s surface structure has changed over time. This is followed by a fascinating journey through time, looking at how and why the animals have changed in size, diet, and various other adaptations.

This very colourful book is full of photographs and artistic representations of the animals described. It is written clearly, using examples and comparisons kids will know and enjoy. Each chapter includes a hot-pink page of fun facts about the corresponding animal. Between chapters are blue pages that provide additional information about such topics as theories about past mass extinctions (including that of the dinosaurs) and how paleontologists learn about the past from fossils and other clues.

The book is eye-catching and fun. A list of further reading materials in the back will be useful for children whose interest has been piqued. It would have been nice to have a map showing the geographic ranges of the ancient animals and modern counterparts, and some descriptions would have benefited from additional diagrams. The selection of animals is intriguing, as it addresses several that are not well-known. This may encourage children to look further into the evolutionary history of their favourite animal. Highly recommended.