Earth: The Life of Our Planet

Goldsmith documents 15 “key moments” in the geological history of our planet, from a cloud storm in space that led to the birth of the sun more than four billion years ago, to Earth’s gradual cooling (which paved the way for life to exist), and the dinosaur age, ice age, and beyond. Succinct descriptions convey the mechanisms behind Earth’s transformations and biological evolution, letting the art take center stage. Garlick’s dramatic illustrations of galaxies, sea creatures slithering to land, and early humans struggling to survive in a frozen landscape combine naturalism with a dreamlike quality that befits the awe-inspiring subject matter. A glossary and removable foldout time line are appended. Ages 8–12. (Sept.)