Kirkus Reviews

A quick once-over of this hot-button topic, though strongly argued if superficial and oddly illustrated. Pointedly dismissing Intelligent Design and not even bothering to "teach the controversy," Loxton explains in nontechnical language the current understanding of how species evolve through Natural Selection—which he rightly defines as "survival of the adequate." After showing how applecart-upsetting evidence of extinct animals and the geologic scale of time led to "Darwin's Big Idea," he describes the processes of selection in answers to a series of skeptically posed questions like, "How could evolution produce something as complicated as my eyes?" However, not only does he fail to provide any source notes or links to further resources, he leaves readers largely in the dark about evolution's genetic mechanism. Furthermore, the illustrations are a patchwork jumble of color photos, sketchy diagrams, awkwardly drawn cartoon figures and uncommonly photorealistic portraits of prehistoric creatures. Better-founded introductions like Robert Winston's Evolution Revolution: From Darwin to DNA (2009) or Kristan Lawson's Darwin and Evolution for Kids: His Life and Ideas with 21 Activities (2003) will likely edge out this one in the struggle to survive. (Nonfiction. 10-13)

ALA Booklist

This straightforward explanation and defense of the theory of evolution grew out of material published in 2007 in Junior Skeptic, the children's section of a quarterly science education and advocacy magazine published in Canada. The author-illustrator, Junior Skeptic's editor, describes evolution as the changes of life on earth over time as shown first through fossil finds and geological layers. Darwin's theory of natural selection explained its workings, and now the process has been demonstrated in a variety of ways. Loxton also discusses convergent evolution, evolutionary compromises, and human ancestry, and he addresses some common concerns. His message is clear: "There is no intelligence brain hind evolution that is running things." Generously illustrated with photographs, cartoons, diagrams, and computer-generated images of ancient creatures, this is attractively designed. But some illustrations are unlabeled: a large ammonite and the reconstructed face of the hominid fossil known as Lucy are identified only on the jacket flap. The additional lack of sources and bibliography make this a useful but flawed resource.

School Library Journal (Sat May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2010)

Gr 5-8 Loxton uses a combination of Q & A and exposition in his conversational text to explore the process of evolution. He even makes reference to religion, stating that while science, exemplary in explaining the functionalism of the natural world, "can't tell us what those discoveries mean in a spiritual sense." Topics addressed include whether it is possible to see new species evolve, the evolution of flight, and the dearth of many "transitional" fossils. Other facing-page units discuss evolutionary compromises, Darwinian theory, and the fact that "survival of the fittest" may often be the "survival of the adequate." Colorful illustrations and diagrams appear on every page, and the book uses a variety of faces/heads with each "question," giving the impression they are asked by individuals. More difficult than Steve Jenkins's Life on Earth: The Story of Evolution (Houghton, 2002), almost on par with Robert Winston's Evolution Revolution (2009), and simpler than Linda Gamlin's Evolution (2009, both DK), this title will appeal to researchers. Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY

Horn Book (Sun Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2010)

Loxton provides a closely reasoned defense of evolution as the explanation behind how life developed on Earth. He traces Darwin's path of discovery, then discusses how his theory has been changed by developments in contemporary science. The text tends to jump among topics, but the writing is engaging. Spot illustrations and occasional photographs enhance the presentation. Glos., ind.