An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Species That Just Didn’t Make It
Written by Tadaaki Imaizumi & Takashi Maruyama, Illustrated by Masanori Sato, Yoko Uetake, Kenta Kaido, Nasumiso Itame, Translated by Angus Turvill
Why We Went Extinct is a comprehensive collection of animals that are now extinct. It includes a full description of the “who, what, when, where, and why” given from the animal’s point of view. This book would be a fun addition to a nonfiction section for kids interested in everything from dinosaurs to dodo birds and beyond. It is very comprehensive and includes over 60 different species – most of which I’d never heard of!
I enjoyed the light-hearted tone of the book, but was surprised by the first person narrative given by each animal. While unique, it made the book feel less reliable as a nonfiction source. However, I think kids would enjoy hearing the story of extinction from the viewpoint of the animals.
Overall, I would recommend this book not because of its extensive information, but because the information is presented in a way that is accessible and fun for kids. I mean, what kid can resist drawing sof a t-rex or woolly mammoth with halos over their heads?
Reviewed by Sarah Snow, Librarian, Upland Terrace Elementary
Review shared in December 2024
Rating: ★★★★✩ (4 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 4-6
Why We Went Extinct
Written by Tadaaki Imaizumi & Takashi Maruyama, Illustrated by Masanori Sato, Yoko Uetake, Kenta Kaido, Nasumiso Itame, Translated by Angus Turvill
Quill Tree Books, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers
153 pages
Release Date: November 5, 2024
ISBN: 9780063089938
A review copy was provided by the publisher.
