Reviews
There are so many incredible books available at the moment that it is impossible to read them all, no matter how hard I try! Here are my thoughts about some of the books I have read and how I think they could be used in school as well as Q and A sessions with authors and illustrators.
Choose Your Own Evolution
Using a ‘pick-your-own-path’ format, ‘Choose Your Own Evolution’ offers a really unique and engaging exploration of life on Earth. It is an incredibly engaging and accessible read!
‘The Journey’ Begins’ sets the scene, explaining that every animal has a secret history- their evolution - and that readers will be offered choices to decide their fate. Starting as a Dickinsonia, a tiny blob, three pathways are offered to set off on the evolutionary journey. Deciding that slime is my ‘style’, led to becoming a ‘Helcionellid’ where, faced with five further choices, I selected ‘Get ahead of the game’ and turned to page 89. Here, I learned that I was a survivor, having become a garden snail! However, some pathways lead to extinction, the fate of Megalodon or Titanoboa, making this an interactive and engaging read, allowing readers to learn without realising!
Bursting with facts, the book is also beautifully presented, with colourful, thoughtfully placed illustrations. It is perfect for enriching the KS2 science curriculum, adding a game-like element to learning, sure to provoke discussion about the choices on offer and the outcomes they result in. An evolutionary family tree included at the end of the book supports readers in following the stages each creature in the book has followed and a glossary offers concise definitions of the ‘technical’ terms related to the subject.
An excellent read!
Choose Your Own Evolution Go Extinct or Survive? You Decide!
Jules Howard, illustrated by Gordy Wright
Nosy Crow ISBN: 978-1839945533