Professor Tim Flannery is one of the world’s leading
scientists, explorers and conservationists. He’s spent most of his
life studying the natural world – from mammalogy to palaeontology –
and has had some incredible adventures along the way, including
floating down crocodile-infested rivers and wrestling pythons. He’s
discovered 75 new species of animals – some that are still living,
and others that have been preserved as fossils. He’s worked at
museums and universities in Australia and around the world,
including as Director of the South Australian
Museum, Visiting Chair in Australian Studies at Harvard
University and Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Australian
Museum. He established and co-chaired the Copenhagen Climate
Council, was appointed Australia’s first Climate Commissioner and
is the Founder and Chief Councillor of the Australian Climate
Council. In 2007, he was named Australian of the Year. He has
published over 140 peer-reviewed scientific papers and more
than thirty books, including the award-winning Here on
Earth (2010), Atmosphere of Hope (2015) and The
Weather Makers (2005), which has been translated into over 20
languages. This is his first book for children.
Sam Caldwell has a particular talent for illustrating the
world’s strangest and most fascinating creatures. He grew up in the
north of England and now lives in Glasgow, Scotland, where he works
as an illustrator and designer. Sam studied painting at the
Edinburgh College of Art and is passionate about using texture and
colour to tell stories with his art. His illustrations are
regularly featured in magazines and newspapers, including The
Guardian, The Independent and The Sydney Morning
Herald, and his previous books include Sneaky Shadows by
SC Manchild.
'The popular naturalist reaches for a younger audience with a mix
of basic and oddball facts about more than 50 wild creatures.
With much reference to “poo and goo,” Flannery ratchets down his
usual level of discourse to focus on essentials: the “weaponized
vomit” of turkey vultures, for instance, “Snot Studies,” and
anatomical insights such as the special help that tree kangaroos
get from masses of stomach worms in digesting their food. The
entries, loosely organized by habitat, each also offer observations
on geographical range, typical diet, distinctive physical features,
and, often, challenges posed by climate or environmental change.
Along with an autobiographical introduction and personal notes
about encounters with some of his wild subjects, the author tucks
in glances at broad topics such as evolution, extinction, and
scientific nomenclature too. Caldwell goes mostly for splashes of
bright color and silly riffs in his illustrations, so naturalistic
detail takes a back seat to a male blue whale in a lounge singer’s
dress, courting scorpion and seahorse couples in ballroom garb, and
like follies. Readers who relish learning about a tree-climbing
turtle or how moths “love pretending to be things they’re not, like
hornets or eyeballs or lumps of poop,” will be well rewarded.
A “fun book,” as promised.' – Kirkus Review
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