Evolution: The Story of How Life Developed on Earth    by Joanna Cole & Aliki Order:  USA  Can HarperTrophy, 1989 (1987) Hardcover, Softcover      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson It begins with a farmer digging in a field. 'He found a rock that looked like a bone. Another time, a child found a stone shaped like a seashell.' People look at them in wonder, but scientists tell us 'they really are the remains of plants and animals.' Joanna Cole explains how these fossils are formed and where they are found in rock strata. Aliki's illustrations make it all clear - including a wonderful drawing of the kinds of creatures found in rock layers from the Precambrian period to the very recent (relatively speaking) time that humans arrived on the planet. We see through the pictures how 'Life was growing and changing!' The author introduces Charles Darwin and the theory of evolution, putting it in perspective of development that happens 'over millions of years'. Specifically, Cole shows the lobe-fin evolving into amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, even apes and human beings. She concludes by reminding us that 'No one saw evolution happen ... But we can "read" the story told by the fossils.' Evolution is one of an excellent Let's-Read-and-Find-Out series, that I enjoyed exploring along with my sons when they were in elementary school. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews