The idea of capturing the nearly five-billion-year history of our planet in a 64-page book for children is daunting. But prize-winning science journalist Margaret Munro, who interviewed geologists, paleontologists, and evolutionary biologists in her research, has risen to the challenge.

The book is divided logically into five time periods: Azoic, Proterozoic, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic. A brief account of the timing of events in each period is given, with a suggestion of what Earth might have looked like then. For the most part, the text is simply written in short sentences. The sequence of events is easy to follow, although the reasons behind some of the changes are beyond most of the intended readers. Munro clearly points out that there are still many gaps in our knowledge. The author has done an admirable job of consolidating and simplifying the information, yet two omissions stand out. Although the book refers to evolution many times, the concept is never explained, leaving the impression that different forms of life just appeared, instead of evolving. Also lacking is an explanation of the theory of natural selection.

Illustrator Karen Reczuch’s full-spread colour illustrations on every page, based on research and consultations with Royal Ontario Museum staff in Toronto, are vital to the book’s success. They take extremely difficult concepts and simplify them into pictures children will easily understand. The illustrated inside covers include a timeline that shows the relative length of each period and helps readers appreciate Earth’s age and how recent we are on it. Finally, the last spread is a key to the creatures illustrated throughout and includes their Latin names. A good introduction to the topic, this non-fiction picture book will be a great asset in any library and a wonderful place to begin a child’s exploration of our world.