On December 27, 1831, the young naturalist Charles Darwin left Plymouth Harbor aboard the HMS Beagle. For the next five years, he conducted research on plants and animals from around the globe, amassing a body of evidence that would culminate in one of the greatest discoveries in the history of mankind-the theory of evolution. Darwin presented his stunning insights in a landmark book that forever altered the way human beings view themselves and the...

"A message from the author: Our species has long played an existential game of Mad Libs, trying to fill in the blank on what seems like a pretty straightforward sentence: "Humans are the only creatures that ______." But each time a new answer to the question of what makes us unique is offered, it is immediately pounced on by nay-sayers eager to disprove it and to show that there isn't really anything that special about us at all-- that we are just...

"Grandmother Reptile crawls and breathes, and so do you! Grandmother Mammal cuddles with her babies, and don't forget Cousin Whale and Cousin Bird. Grandmother Ape hoots, and Grandmother Human tells stories. We are their children, and all living things are related. ... Here is the first book to teach evolution to preschoolers, focusing on two things that children love: animals and family"--Page [4] of cover.