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.

A graphic introduction to evolution, full of cheerfully silly but educational digressions. Repeating the conceit of their The Stuff of Life: A Graphic Guide to Genetics and DNA (2009), Hosler (Biology/Juniata Coll.) and the Cannons reintroduce their alien professor, Bloort 183, who delivers an illustrated lecture on the inhabitants of the bizarre, newly discovered planet Earth, which contains the first life known to exist outside the professor's own world, Glargal. The occasion is an exclusive, pre-opening royal tour of the Glargalian Holographic Museum of Earth Evolution. His audience, King Floorsh 727 and a precocious son, do their pedagogical duty by interjecting appropriate questions. Notwithstanding the comic-book format, Hosler does not dumb down his subject but provides a precise overview of evolution beginning with the cooling of the primordial Earth, the origin of life and the rise of single and multicellular organisms down through geological eras. A comical biography of Charles Darwin leads into an accurate description of the mechanism of natural selection—random variation within a species with survival of advantageous traits—and the text proceeds smoothly to the origin of species, sexual selection, evolutionary constraints, vestigial organs and extinction. Despite the advertising and imaginative, droll illustrations, the book may not win over science-phobic readers, but it's a solid introduction. An accessible, nuts-and-bolts explanation of evolution for adults who want a refresher and high-school teachers searching for a simple primer.

Gr 10 Up-This book requires a solid background in evolution and cell biology to understand it. Set up as an explanation of life on Earth for an alien race, it is arranged by chapters, with an introduction, an epilogue, a suggested reading list, and a glossary. Hosler knows his subject, but his delivery is definitely academic. The black-and-white illustrations and lettering are easy to follow, but the Cannons seem to have only one set of characters. The same "aliens" that appeared in The Stuff of Life: A Graphic Guide to Genetics and DNA (Hill and Wang, 2008) are in Evolution , even though this book is by a different author. It should be considered only in schools with strong advanced science programs. Suanne Roush, Osceola High School, Seminole, FL