Darwin's Tree of Life

Book excerpt: Follow the evolution of plants and animals, from the first living things 6 billion years ago to the animals living in the world today. Darwin's Tree of Life shows how the incredible diversity of life on earth came to be. This beautifully illustrated book starts from the dawn of life and shows the order in which plants and animals evolved, the different branches of 'The Tree of Life', and how plants and animals have changed over time in many amazingly different ways. Find out: · why crabs run sideway · which fish was the first to walk on land · why birds are similar to dinosaurs · why human brains are located in the head and not in our feet. which creatures can survive 30 years without eating · which mammal has the strongest bite of any predator · why hedgehogs have spines Stunningly illustrated by illustrator and print maker, Margaux Carpentier, children will enjoy finding out about a whole world of wonderful animals on our amazing planet Earth. The author, Michael Bright, has worked as an executive producer with the BBC's world-renowned Natural History Unit, based in Bristol, and with its Science Unit in London. He is author of over a hundred books on wildlife, science, travel, and conservation, including many for children. His bestseller Africa: Eye to Eye with the Unknown accompanied the popular television series presented by Sir David Attenborough. He is the recipient of many international radio and television awards, including the prestigious Prix Italia. He is a graduate of the University of London and a corporate biologist and member of the Royal Society of Biology. This book is perfect for the study of evolution, adaptation and inheritance in KS2 and KS2 science and covers topics such as classification, habitats and conservation.