The Ever-Changing Earth by Grahame Baker-Smith

This book covers the enormity of the formation of the earth and the beginnings of life. Because this is such a huge topic, Grahame Baker-Smith helps his younger readers by focusing on two children who live in very different places. These children are connected, however, because they both live on our planet and they both benefit from the wonders of nature. Kun loves dinosaurs so this is our starting point but we do need to go back further to understand the beginnings of our earth. Solveig lives in a different part of the world and for her the marvel she enjoys is the spectacle of the northern lights. 

When you share this book with your class or library group or young reading companion notice these beautiful expressive phrases:

• "Millions of years ago the sky boomed with the wild beat of Pterosaur wings ..."
• "Strange birds opened beaks stippled with tiny rows of teeth filling the branches with the first birdsong."
• "The young planet was under seige, pounded by comets and rocks. It was a world of flames and boiling seas of lava."
• "Each bubble was like a tiny kiss of life for the creatures that were yet to come."
• "Pristine, pale, silent. It might have stayed like that forever if not for the volcanoes."
• "And in darkness, deep beneath the secretive ice, life had clung on."

Baker-Smith prevents his narrative becoming an abstract of history by introducing his two young protagonists, Kun and Solveig. They live far apart, experiencing different aspects of the world, yet connected. It is a simple device to engage the young reader in this extraordinary – and challenging  – story.  There is nothing cosy as the reader opens the book to an image of a fiery ball whirling in space. We follow its violent evolution to close the back cover where the image of that blue planet floats serenely in its galaxy; as serenely as Solveig watching the Northern Lights in a lake warmed by the earth’s core or Kun feeding the birds who were once dinosaurs.  Books for Keeps

My photo (top image) doesn't do this cover any justice. The waterfall is made from tinsel like glitter - this is a book children will want to explore! and discuss. 

Dedication: "Words cannot do justice to the majesty and generosity of the world we share with all the extraordinary creations of its vibrant and mysterious nature. I am grateful for every day I have here, grateful to be a part, as we all are, of its incredible and ancient story."

A brief meditation on our planet’s long and generally violent history over geologic epochs with suitably big, dramatic illustrations. ... A grand spectacle. Kirkus Star review

This book is the companion book to these titles by Grahame Baker-Smith:

Wild is the Wind