Have you ever wondered why there are so many different kinds of animals and insects and plants? Or have you ever visited a zoo and been amazed by how so many animals are so different and so good at doing something? Think about giraffes with their long necks to help them reach the tallest leaves. Chimpanzees that can swing from branch to branch. Anteaters with their long snouts and antelopes with their horns for defending themselves. How did they all become so different and special?
The answer is evolution. Evolution is a scientific theory which explains how creatures slowly change over time. When these changes help them get better at finding food and shelter, the creatures thrive and have more young ones. Some of the young ones may share the little changes that made their parents special. Over time, a lot of little changes can create a whole new type of creature!
This might seem confusing, and it’s something you will usually learn about in high school or college biology. But it is never too early to start to learn about such an important idea. That’s why I’m thrilled to share this week’s book with you.
Little Changes, written by Tiffany Taylor and illustrated by James Munro, is a fun book for primary or middle school children. It’s a bit like a Doctor Seuss book or one of Roald Dahl’s revolting rhymes. It tells you about a group of round, furry green creatures called the rinkidinks.
The rinkidinks like to eat different kinds of fruit — some high on tall trees, others down on the riverbed. Some rinkidinks get good at jumping up trees and others get good at swimming. Then there’s a big flood. The two groups get separated. Over time they change and become different kinds of animals, but with common ancestors. Evolution in action!
But my summary of the book doesn’t do it justice — it is filled with colourful, expressive drawings that pull you into the world of the rinkidinks. The story itself is told in short, rhyming verses that are fun to read aloud. Some of the words may be difficult for younger children, making it a good book to be read with your parents or a teacher.
Perhaps the best thing about this book is that it is completely free! To get it, all you need is access to a computer, an internet connection and a printer. Go to www.rinkidinks.co.uk, download the book in a pdf file and print it out and you’re good to go. The site also has colouring pages you can print out and resources for teachers and students. So if you’re ready to find out how life became so varied and cool, let the rinkidinks show you!