by Deborah Kerbel, Illustrated by Aimee Van Drimmelen
Orca Book Publishers
10/18/2022, hardcover
SKU: 9781459827660
Something that you may not know: in each and every case of a disappearing species, extinction had a face.
Over the past 500 years, thousands of species of plants and animals have become extinct. The Late, Great Endlings pays homage to some of the more well-known endlings of the past century with rhyming stanzas that accompany watercolor illustrations and factual descriptions of each animal, along with the circumstances that led to their species' extinction. Together, these portraits of animals, like the passenger pigeon, the Pinta Island tortoise and the Tasmanian tiger, are a poignant symbol of a world irreversibly altered by human development, habitat loss and climate change. Readers are invited to reflect on the interconnectedness of all life forms on our planet with an additional look at animals that are at risk of becoming extinct in our lifetime. Concluding on a hopeful note, the final page offers suggestions for what kids can do to change the course of this mass species extinction crisis.
This STEM-based, illustrated nonfiction picture book introduces readers to several well-known animal and insect endlings, the last known survivors of a species, while discussing the mass extinction crisis facing our planet and what kids can do to make a difference.
Target Age: 5 to 8
Reviews:
"Lovely...A short, beautifully illustrated text with high-level vocabulary; a solid addition to libraries needing more books discussing extinction and its cost."-- School Library Journal
"This beautiful dedication to these special animals brings the reality and the irreversible finality of extinction to the forefront and calls on readers to act now, before so many other animals become endings. Highly recommended for all collections."-- Booklist
About the Contributors:
Deborah Kerbel is the critically acclaimed, award-winning author of several books for young people of all ages, including Before You Were Born, Fred and Marjorie, Slow Moe, Swish Slosh and Grumble Yawn. Her books have been shortlisted for the Governor General's Literary Award, the Canadian Library Association's YA Book Award and the Forest of Reading Blue Spruce Award, among others. Deborah was born in London, England, and raised in Toronto, where she now lives with her family.
Aimée van Drimmelen is an artist, designer and musician based on the W̱SÁNEĆ Traditional Territories (Thetis Island, British Columbia). Her illustrations have been featured in a variety of publications, including The Walrus, Reader's Digest and POETRY Magazine, and she was the artist in residence at the Royal BC Museum for two years. Drawing inspiration from the natural world and ecosystems, Aimée collects plant materials from around her region to make inks.