The Universe Verse

Gr 5 Up—Divided in three segments, "Bang!," "It's Alive!," and "Great Apes!," and using quick, simple verse, this title describes the development of life and the universe. Two narrators, who greatly resemble Albert Einstein and his wife, take readers through the big bang, early life on Earth (shedding light on amoebas and organelles), the extinction of the dinosaurs, the eventual developments that led to human life, and the basics of the genetic mutation. The images slowly transition from black and white in the first section to unobtrusive color in last section. The narrative does not distract from the artwork and neither overcomplicates nor oversimplifies the subject. Young students will revel in the artwork, while older kids could use the text as an introduction to advanced high school science. A welcome addition.—Sarah Knutson, American Canyon Middle School, CA