The Biblical Creation Story is so much simpler to explain to a child than the story of Evolution. The Biblical Creation Story is also much easier to find in books! Have you tried to find a children’s book on Evolution? It’s not an easy task.

I have found one book that I like. It simplifies the concepts well as an introduction to Evolution. And I stress that it is an introduction. It does not explain mechanisms of Natural Selection, nor does it go into a detailed order of the development of the species. It is a very general story of the evolution of life, with words that inspire awe at the process.

The book is The Tree Of Life: The Wonders Of Evolution by Ellen Jackson. The great thing about this book is that Jackson uses very simple language and concepts to explain an exceptionally intricate concept. It is a great introduction to young minds who are learning about life’s origins for the first time.

For example, the book begins in the early days of the earth, before there is any life. It describes, how an new “almost alive” tiny thing came to be. Then the almost alive thing began to divide in two, reproducing itself again and again using gas and water.

“Did the new thing always copy itself exactly right? The answer may surprise you. Almost always it did copy itself exactly. But once in a great while, not very often, a copy would be different from the others.”

The book then goes on to explain how a good difference (mutation), perhaps making it faster, will allow it to live longer and copy itself more. Eventually we come to learn what the first of the animals are: shellfish, jellyfish, and worms. From here on out, the book gives a very general and simple description of the order of succeeding life: fish, plants, reptiles, birds, mammals and humans.

In the introduction of the book Jackson describes her disappointment with current children’s books on Evolution, which inspired her to write this one:

“Those books that attempted to explain evolution did so in a way that, though scientifically accurate, conveyed none of the wonder and excitement of this concept. The Tree of Life is my attempt to help young children to understand the beauty and power of this great idea.”

Some of you readers support Science, and appreciate the Theory of Evolution, but are also religious, or at least believe in God. You will be happy with this book. While it does not mention a Creator, it inspires a sufficient amount of wonder, that you could naturally interject your beliefs that a god or intelligent being directed the process, helping the “almost alive things” to make the jump to organized life.

My only regret with this book is the illustrations. They’re decent, but the colors are only purple and white. I can imagine much more beautiful imagery, details and colors that would reach further to draw the child into the magic of the story.

I will be reading this book to my children on the first day of Darwin Day, February twelfth. I will then use our dinner meals and a special treat over the following six days to review the order in which species developed. For example, since the first animals to develop were shellfish, worms, and jellyfish, we will have shellfish for dinner. The kids will get wrapped surprises with gummi-worms inside. I will share the specifics of the entire week with you in my next post.

If you are interested in the book, click on the title at the top of this post. As of yesterday, the book is listed at Amazon for a reduced price. There is a limited supply currently in stock, but they will stock up again.