Author(s): Jane Godwin & Vincent Agostino (ill.)

Earth / Nature

Tells a story that traces the evolution of the elephant from its prehistoric marine beginnings to the water loving land animal we know today. How and why did elephants learn to swim? Could it be that they were once marine creatures? This tale about elephants evolving from prehistoric sea creatures may sound far-fetched, but it is based on fact. Scientists believe that the Order Proboscidea (the scientific name for the elephant family) and the Order Sirenia (dugongs, manatees and sea cows) must have shared a common aquatic ancestor. This is a genuinely unique and fascinating book which uses both print and full colour illustration to trace the evolution of the elephant from its prehistoric marine beginnings to the water-loving land animal we know today. The story line is simple but poetic while the illustrations are scientifically informative yet highly imaginative. This is a beautiful book to read aloud to children or explore visually.