Status
Available
Genres
Collection
Publication
[Boston] : Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, [2009], c1962.
Description
Examines and explains how life on Earth came to be and how the Earth and life on it developed and evolved throughout time, told through a play with five acts and a prologue.
User reviews
LibraryThing member enbrown504
This informational story picture book presents a nice look at the development of earth and life on it. The writing is concise and the tone is neutral and narrative. The organization is chronological with no chapters or headings. The illustrations are prominent. The right side of the spread
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accompinies the text on the left with an illustration of the scene that was earth at the time being described. The illustrations are framed by curtains to give the image of a theatrical scene. The text on the left side of the spread i surrounded by other illustrations often of fossils or other ancient organisms and their taxonomic lineage. The writing is fairly simple and probably directed toward elementary and maybe middle school. I liked the book for its presentation more than its content. The descriptions are brief but gives students an engaging glimpse at what the earth was like at certain points in its natural history. I would use this book as an intro to a natural history or earth science unit. It would be a good tool to capture students attention and get their imaginations working with the material. Show Less
LibraryThing member satyridae
I think this is THE best book about evolution and time for little kids. If only I could read it without crying- as Burton brings the focus in and moves inexorably nearer in time to the reader, the intensity ramps up to a point where the brevity and beauty of life is so apparent that it's painful.
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An exquisite and breathtaking book. Show Less
LibraryThing member larasimmons2
This book was originally published in 1962, and has been updated a few times since, due to scientific changes. "Life Story" is a book about the evolution. It includes the progression of time of our solar system and life on earth. Written in play and poetry format, "Life Story" gives a fresh
I like this book, being a science major, and a former environmental educator. The language is concise and takes a neutral, narrative tone. Evolution books can be difficult for children, as it is a dense subject. I like how Virgina Lee Burton presented the information as a play. This allows for the discussion of "interpretation" on a touchy subject. She also includes different life forms on the text pages and pronunciation guides. The play language is apparent through her text with "the scene has changed... the climate has turned hot and humid" as an example. She manages to present language is a simple and direct way.
The illustrations are also interesting. Burton divides the book pages with a text page and an illustration page. The text pages include smaller pictures of animals, life forms, or important things not depicted in the illustration page. The small pictures provide dates, identifications, and pronunciation guides. This is helpful in preventing the main text from becoming dry and text-book like. Her use of language also helps with accuracy by including different, useful information. For extinct life forms as it approaches present day, Burton even includes distant modern day relatives. This helps readers identify with the text and illustrations.
The illustration pages are done as stage and set designs. This creates a theater like presence for the reader. The perspective of the illustrations makes the reader feel like he is watching a play at a theatre watching. The illustrations even presents the set design feel, including signs to tell the reader what "act and scene" the part of evolution it is.
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approach to the evolution subject. The overall theme of the book is to discuss the evolution theory. This book is fitting for 5th or 6th grade. It can be used in a life or earth science classroom. The language and content is more appropriate for this age group. I like this book, being a science major, and a former environmental educator. The language is concise and takes a neutral, narrative tone. Evolution books can be difficult for children, as it is a dense subject. I like how Virgina Lee Burton presented the information as a play. This allows for the discussion of "interpretation" on a touchy subject. She also includes different life forms on the text pages and pronunciation guides. The play language is apparent through her text with "the scene has changed... the climate has turned hot and humid" as an example. She manages to present language is a simple and direct way.
The illustrations are also interesting. Burton divides the book pages with a text page and an illustration page. The text pages include smaller pictures of animals, life forms, or important things not depicted in the illustration page. The small pictures provide dates, identifications, and pronunciation guides. This is helpful in preventing the main text from becoming dry and text-book like. Her use of language also helps with accuracy by including different, useful information. For extinct life forms as it approaches present day, Burton even includes distant modern day relatives. This helps readers identify with the text and illustrations.
The illustration pages are done as stage and set designs. This creates a theater like presence for the reader. The perspective of the illustrations makes the reader feel like he is watching a play at a theatre watching. The illustrations even presents the set design feel, including signs to tell the reader what "act and scene" the part of evolution it is.
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LibraryThing member 9001toshiko
LibraryThing member GayWard
The story of Life on our Earth from its beginning up to now.
LibraryThing member smoore75
Life Story is a beautifully illustrated book about the history of earth and the evolution of life on earth up to now. The book begins by setting the stage for how earth was created and over five acts, it's history is told. I really enjoyed reading this book and found the illustrations really
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interesting. They reminded me of folk art and there is a fluid sort of flow to them. I really loved it. I could see using this book in my science classes to hook students on subject matter. Show Less
LibraryThing member hayduke
Originally released in 1962, the Life Story of our earth is laid out by Burton (Mike Mulligan & His Steam Shovel) as a play in five acts. I had never seen this book until recently, but it’s a gem. This beautifully illustrated book has been updated to reflect the latest in scientific research.
LibraryThing member selia
I owned a paperback copy of this growing up and spent countless hours reading and noticing every little detail on every page. it's so comprehensive but told in such an engaging way, and my young mind just soaked it all up! I have so many fond memories of this book and didn't know until just
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recently that she's the same author of mike mulligan and his steam shovel, another book easily in my top 10 kids books! Show Less
LibraryThing member KristenRoper
Burton sets the stage and tells the drama of the history of the earth. Starting at the beginning of the universe, she bring us forward through time through each era and describes the major geological features as well as the forms of life present at the time. As she approaches the present, the time
"And now it is your Life Story and it is you who play the leading role. The stage is set, the time is now, and the place wherever you are. Each passing second a new link in the endless chain of Time. The drama of Life is a continuous story--ever new, ever changing, and ever wondrous to behold."
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periods become shorter until we we are in the present century, the present lifetime, the present year, the present season, the present day. The illustrations are vibrant and play into the "drama" setting by showing an image of the era as if it's playing out on a stage. The text page features interesting details in black, white and yellow. Despite the scope and scale of the book, the narrative imparts you with the significance of your life in the present moment, small as it is in comparison to all you've just witnessed. "And now it is your Life Story and it is you who play the leading role. The stage is set, the time is now, and the place wherever you are. Each passing second a new link in the endless chain of Time. The drama of Life is a continuous story--ever new, ever changing, and ever wondrous to behold."
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Awards
De Bary Children's Science Book Award (Nominee — 2012)