Stones and Bones: Fossils and the stories they tell

(Hardback)

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Description

'Stones and Bones is like having a friendly guide to show you around Earth's past. Each page is full of exciting discoveries waiting to be uncovered. It is full of stunning illustrations, accessible language and rich content, making it sure to ignite a spark of curiosity for Natural History. With amazing pictures that make dinosaurs and ancient worlds come alive, this book is packed with fun facts and cool stories.' - Books for Topics - Best Books for Year 5

Explore the incredible history of life on our planet told through the fossil record!

Over the past four billion years, life on Earth has evolved from microscopic single-celled organisms to today's incredible array of flora and fauna. In the course of this time, layer upon layer of life was buried in sediment, turning into a fossilised record of the planet's history.

This beautifully-illustrated book looks at all the incredible things that scientists have learned from the fossil record; the ways in which continents have drifted, merged and fragmented again; the life forms that have evolved and the great extinction events that wiped them out. From bacteria to sponges to fish to tetrapods to reptiles to dinosaurs to mammals and finally to humans, Stones and Bones excavates the fascinating story of life on Earth. Clear, concise texts from fossil expert, Rob Wilshaw, along with lively illustrations, diagrams and timelines by Sophie Williams (Earth-Shattering Events and Map of You) make this hugely informative exploration accessible for readers as young as six.

With the science of Paleontology clearly broken down and a unique 'Paleontology Today' section highlighting the importance of learning from the past to protect our future, this vital book will delight not just dinosaur enthusiasts, but anyone interested in the incredible history of our planet.

Reviews

"This handsome introduction to fossils is laid out like a hand-drawn field manual. The accessible content brings in elements of geology, geography, and evolution, and there are descriptions of modern paleontological practices, including specialized careers (paleobotanists, ichnologists), steps involved in getting dinosaur fossils to museums, processes for preparing fossils for display, career advice, and tips for fossil hunting. The final spread emphasizes why it's important for paleontologists to know what has happened in the past as the planet faces rapid climate change." - Booklist

Impressively informative and thoroughly 'kid friendly' in organization and presentation, Stones and Bones deftly explores the amazing history of life on planet Earth as revealed through the fossil record and will prove a welcome and enduringly popular addition to elementary school and community library Science collections in general, and Paleontology/Evolution reading lists in particular." - Midwest Book Review

"I love the way this book was broken down into different eras. The table of contents highlights them wonderfully for the target audience, starting with what a fossil is. The illustrations are fun! The artist did a great job detailing different species or dinosaurs and rocks." - YA Books Central

"Presented in timelines, strata diagrams, scale-drawings, and shifting landscape portraits, it's a marvel that all this information can be presented with such lightness. It's beautiful! Read it!" - Youth Services Book Review

Cleverly presented with eye-catching illustrations, diagrams and a plethora of paleontological (and other!) facts, children will love this new book." - The Literacy Tree, UK

Longlisted for the UK Literary Association (UKLA) Book Awards 2025 - Information Books for ages 3-14+

Author Bio

Sophie Williams is a Cornish illustrator with a bright, informative style that is inspired by illustrators such as Nick Sharratt and Gemma Correll. She is the author of Map of You (Cicada, 2021) and the illustrator of Earth-Shattering Events (Cicada, 2019).

Rob Wilshaw studied geology at the University of Southampton, graduating in 2018 with a masters degree focussing on how microfossils might predict future impacts of climate change. This is his first book.