Why We Went Extinct: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Species That Just Didn't Make It

Ages 8 And Up, Grades 3 And Up

In this voicy, full-color illustrated encyclopedia—which has sold nearly a million copies in its original Japanese—zoologists Takashi Maruyama and Tadaaki Imaizumi put a spotlight on many of the strange and surprising dinosaurs, mammals, insects, and birds that have lived on Earth, who explain in their own words the various ways that they just didn’t make it. 

Since life first arose on Earth, nearly all creatures that have ever existed have gone extinct. So if your species happens to be alive right now, you should feel very lucky.You probably know about the downfall of the dinosaurs and how the dodo bird met its doom. But you might not have heard about a whole host of other weird, wonderful mammals, reptiles, birds, amphibians, and fish throughout the eons that just didn’t make it.But that doesn’t mean all these stories are sad; extinction is just a part of the long, long history of life on Earth. And some of the ways these species died out are actually pretty silly. . . .In this fully illustrated encyclopedia, you’ll hear from the creatures who have faced extinction throughout the years—and learn what survival of the fittest means for those on evolution’s bad side.

About the Author

Tadaaki Imaizumi graduated from Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology and studied mammal taxonomy and ecology at the National Museum of Nature and Science. He participated in the International Biological Project (IBP) survey by the Ministry of Education and in the ecological survey of the Iriomote wildcat by the Ministry of the Environment. After working as an animal science educator at Ueno Zoo, he is now councilor at the Tokyo Zoological Park Society. He likes cheetahs and leopards because they are independent and quiet and are strict parents.Takashi Maruyama is a zoology writer and creator of illustrated encyclopedias. After working for Nature Pro Editorial Office, he engaged in the research of hyraxes in the Negev desert. His favorite animal is the aardvark because it is the only remaining living species of the order Tubulidentata.