In the past

Reviewed by: Terri Bauld - Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 17, 2018

Review

A collection of creatures from the planet's last 544 million years, readers will discover both the familiar and unfamiliar in this novel poetry book. Information is presented via rhymed or free verse text and is complemented with large, naturalistic, soft colored illustrations done in mixed media. With a geologic time line running throughout, beginning with the Cambrian Period and ending with the Quaternary Period, the creatures featured are arranged chronologically. It would have been easier to read if the pronunciations of the various animals were included in the verse pages not just in the back pages.

The back pages include a note from the author which notes that new discoveries are being made every day which make a book like this challenging to write. Also included in the back pages are notes on the animals featured and the facts about them that inspired the poems.

At times the poems are humorous and at times the poems are very straightforward and realistic highlighting the true nature of the animals. This is not a whimsical foray into the past, but a realistic journey back in time where readers can gain a great deal of knowledge with limited, meaningful verse and realistic illustrations.

A recommended purchase for both school and public libraries.

Overall Book Score: very good