Aotearoa Lost Worlds

The two-page colour spreads and numerous diagrams, maps and drawings entice readers to dive into this book. Although the minutiae of natural history isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, the author has created a visual feast and organised the written material in a way that makes it easy for anyone to dip in and out of this book.

There is detailed information about the formation of Aotearoa (after its separation from Gondwanaland) and about the succession of different plant and animal species right up to the present day. I did not know that we once had a native crocodile, nor did I know that the difference between crocodiles and alligators is that when their mouths are closed, you can see some of the bottom teeth of a crocodile, but you can’t see any of the bottom teeth of an alligator. Some children will be fascinated by this book and others will still find it very useful as a resource for research purposes.

Title: Aotearoa Lost Worlds

Author and illustrator: Dave Gunson

Publisher: Bateman Books

ISBN: 9781988538662

RRP: $19.99

Format: paperback

Publication: June 2021

Age Range: all ages

Advisory warnings: None

Reviewer: Carola Crawford, English teacher, Karanga Mai Young Parents’ College

How are you recommending this book? Highly Recommended

Opening sentence: The Earth was a very different place 120 million years ago…

You can buy this book here