When Planet Earth Was New: A Short History of Our Planet's Long Journey

"When Planet Earth Was New tells a story about the sweep forward of Earth's history and the development of life on this planet. It is intended show a progression, from 4.5 billion years ago when Earth was new, to today. And it is meant to instill wonder and awe at the great changes that have taken place, as well as the great variety of life that has developed. It introduces young children to the idea that Earth is extremely old and has gone through many changes before humans arrived on the scene: At first it was very hot; then it cooled; the oceans formed; after that microscopic life appeared, evolved, etc. The book concludes showing modern-day animals and humans, and makes the point that human life has existed on Earth for just a sliver of time compared to the age of Earth. Unlike most books on evolution, the focus here is not on the evolution of life, but rather the geological record of the planet, showing that Earth is actually very, very old, and it is humans who are so new. Short, lyrical text with solid, well-researched content. Two spreads of back matter include a glossary, note from author, sources, and further information to spark discussion and expand readers' understanding."--