Out of the Blue

By Elizabeth Shreeve, Frann Preston-Gannon (illustrator),

Book cover of Out of the Blue: How Animals Evolved from Prehistoric Seas

Book description

Graceful, succinct prose and engaging illustrations trace the evolution of life on Earth out of the blue and back again.

Clear and inviting nonfiction prose, vetted by scientists—together with lively illustrations and a time line—narrate how life on Earth emerged “out of the blue.” It began in the vast, empty…


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Why read it?

2 authors picked Out of the Blue as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This superb picture book for children aged 6 to 9 begins by asking children to wonder why dolphins and sharks look superficially similar, yet are less closely related than dolphins and hippos. It covers the emergence of life, evolution in the seas, the appearance of land animals, and the “return to the blue” by dolphins and whales. The illustrations are terrific: bright, simple, and kid-friendly while retaining scientific details.  

From Pamela's list on children’s books about evolution.

As a mother to three, I have always struggled with explaining deep time to my children (and honestly even myself). This book uses gorgeously rendered illustrations and thoughtful prose to explain the complexities of evolution. This book deepened my understanding of horseshoe crabs, one of my favorite animals. It is a book I will return to over and over again – if I can steal it away from my youngest.

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