Extreme Survivors

“Ten creatures that make the dinosaurs look like newcomers. Properly noting that evolution works continuously on all life, Ridley profiles multicell animals that have nonetheless really withstood the test of time without major alteration. These include the lizard like tuatara (200 million years), the hardy lungfish (300 million years), sponges (600 million years), and possibly even more ancient comb jellies: “among the earliest animals to have…a butt.” Winning close-ups of a roly-poly tardigrade (530 million years) and luridly snaggle-toothed goblin sharks (125 million years) lead off a spectacular suite of photos to which the author adds pithy descriptive comments and reflections on evolutionary processes, plus insights into just how these survivalists might have endured when 99 percent of all other life forms have gone extinct. Humans (200,000 years), represented here by a picture of a racially diverse group of children, are a long way from demonstrating similar longevity. Perspective-building intros to some of our most ancient relatives. (timeline, summary facts, glossary, further reading) (Nonfiction. 10-13) “ – Kirkus
“Clear and concise enough for even non-science-whizzes to follow.” – Extreme Survivors - Booklist
“Award-winning author Kimberly Ridley presents Extreme Survivors: Animals that Time Forgot, a hardcover nonfiction title introducing young readers to strange and wondrous animal species that have avoided extinction for millions of years. Since they closely resemble their ancestors, they offer modern scientists’ clues to what life was like in the distant past. Striking, full-color photography offers an up-close and personal glimpse of animals such as the lungfish, the microscopic tardigrade, the chambered nautilus, the ferocious goblin shark, the New Zealand tuatara (closest living cousin of the dinosaurs), and much more. Highly recommended, especially for school and public library children’s nonfiction collections.” – Diane Donovan, Editor - Children’s Book Watch

Kimberly Ridley is an award-winning author of nonfiction books for children. Her joy is sharing her love of nature and writing with children through her books and school visits. Kimberly’s picture books, The Secret Pool (Kirkus starred review) and The Secret Bay, have received honors including Riverby Awards from the John Burroughs Association for “outstanding natural history books for young people.” Her newest book is The Secret Stream. A former magazine editor, Kimberly has written for publications including The Boston Globe, the Christian Science Monitor, and Downeast Magazine. She holds an MS in Science Journalism.

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