The Tree of Life: The Wonders of Evolution [Paperback]

Ellen Jackson (Author), Judeanne Winter Wiley (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2004 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

This work is intented for ages 4-9. Lavishly illustrated, "The Tree of Life" captures the excitement and sweep of Darwin's famous theory in an easy-to-read, fun manner.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Given the limited number of picture books about evolution for young children, the book does a fine job of filling that niche. Recommended." -- SWON Libraries, February 2009 (SouthWest Ohio and Neighboring Libraries "As a rare, scientifically accurate, clearly explained book on evolution for young children, this book is welcomed...as a whole this book captures the excitement and sweep of Darwin's great theory in an easy-to-read, fun style." -- The Children's Examiner, February 16, 2009 (in feature article; 10 Books Beyond Belief: A Freethinking Foundation For Your Kids.)

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 40 pages
• Publisher: Prometheus Books (November 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591022401
• ISBN-13: 978-1591022404
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.2 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #243,674 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

WHO: Ellen B. Jackson

WHAT: An award-winning author of 55+ fiction and nonfiction books for children.

WHEN: Born in the days of woolly mammoths, I eventually grew up to be a teacher, counselor, book-lover and writer.

WHERE: I live in Santa Barbara near a very nice beach, ideal for beach-combing and canine stick throwing.

WORKS: Recent books include THE MYSTERIOUS UNIVERSE, about supernovae and dark energy (a Golden Kite honor book), and EARTH MOTHER, a timeless tale about the circle of life (three starred reviews).

VISIT: www.ellenjackson.net

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally a secular origin of life book! Perhaps too abstract., August 26, 2001

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Tree of Life: The Wonders of Evolution (Hardcover)

Because there are so few books on evolution out there that are really aimed at young children, I think it is definitely worth having, but I thought it had a few shortcomings. The first few pages really read like a book for toddlers, but then it gets more advanced (preschool to early elementary), this caused it to not really flow well for me, this is simply a stylistic matter and not really a problem with the content though. It starts at the beginning, not before the planet existed, but before there was any life on it. It goes about 18 pages getting through the first not quite alive thing that could make copies of itself, but sometimes, rarely, the copy wasn't exact. Then in one page jumps through the millions of years to when "many new kinds of aliveness appeared in the world". The rest of it is very VERY general, and simplified. Personally I found it oversimplified, and found the first half of the book to be out of balance with the second half. There are so few books on evolution out there aimed at young children. It is nice to have something. The cover of the book has a very colorful picture on it, but inside the illustrations are all purple and white. I think simpler, full color illustrations inside would be more suited to a book aimed at children this age. This is the author's note: "During a recent trip to the library, I noticed that, while there were many books retelling biblical creation stories, there were relatively few books on evolution for younger children. Those books that attempted to explain evolution did so in a way that, though scientifically accurate, conveyed none of the wonder and excitement of this concept. The Tree Of Life is my attempt to help young children understand the beauty and power of this great idea. Obviously, a book for young children on this topic must leave out some complex details (for instance, the role of sexual selection as one of the driving mechanisms of evolution). The illustrations, also, must necessarily be somewhat abstract and suggestive rather than literal. Nevertheless, great care has been taken to maintain accuracy throughout, although some of the ideas have been simplified for this audience." I guess I just feel that it was more abstract and simplified than I would have liked. It is a decent book to have around, particularly when used with other books. I didn't like it nearly as much as How Whales Walked Into the Sea by Faith McNulty, but she had a much easier job of only focusing on one animal, not introducing the idea of evolution from nothing alive to the myriad of life forms we have today. If you are an aspiring children's book author or illustrator, this is a subject that could really use a lot more attention. Start working!

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful book on evolution for young children!, July 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Tree of Life: The Wonders of Evolution (Hardcover)

"Tree of Life" is a educational storybook, which tells the story of biological evolution from before the first form of life appeared, to the appearance of the first humans, and all in words even a preschooler can understand. My three year old only had a few questions the first time I read it, and it is now one of his favorites. The large, beautiful purple and white illustrations also make it as enjoyable to look at as it is to read.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a children's book to tell the story of evolution, January 19, 2007

By 

The Delite Rancher (Phoenix, Arizona) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Tree of Life: The Wonders of Evolution (Paperback)

"The Tree of Life: The Wonders Of Evolution" is a long awaited book. After countless titles that portray the beginning of life from a religious perspective, Ellen Jackson finally offers a scientific explanation. While the book is overall done well, it has issues. In terms of appropriateness, the reading level is mismatched with the illustrations. The illustrations are very primary while the diction, vocabulary and intellectual content is upper intermediate. Thus intermediate kids will yawn at the illustrations while the story will sail above the head of the younger ones. The reading level is so high that a glossary is noticeably absent. Also, the illustrations would have been more effective were they in color. The blue tinted black and white images don't assist the creators in their goal to communicate "the beauty and power of this great idea." Such issues suggest that the book was created on a shoe-string budget. "The Tree of Life" is worth having, especially considering the limited availability of like-minded titles. That written, it leaves room for a more polished alternative. The most elegant alternative may be Lauren Stringer's "Our Family Tree." Unlike Jackson's book, this title features gorgeous color pictures and simple text that matches the illustrations.