Older Than Dirt - by Don Brown & Michael Perfit (Paperback)

About the Book

Almost 14.5 billion years ago, it all started with a Big Bang and what began as a cloud of gas, dust, and rock eventually took shape and bloomed into a molten sphere. Battered by asteroid collisions, ice ages, and shifting tectonic plates, our fledgling planet finally pushed forth continents. But if you think Earth has calmed down since then think again! Geological activity such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis continues to sculpt the earth's landscape, sometimes with terrible consequences for its inhabitants.

Book Synopsis

Two-time Sibert Honor winner Don Brown has crafted a graphic history of the world's geology with a humble groundhog tour guide, leading readers through the planet's natural history and stages of the Earth's evolution, as well as the incredible natural forces constantly at work.

Almost 14.5 billion years ago, it all started with a Big Bang and what began as a cloud of gas, dust, and rock eventually took shape and bloomed into a molten sphere. Battered by asteroid collisions, ice ages, and shifting tectonic plates, our fledgling planet finally pushed forth continents. But if you think Earth has calmed down since then--think again! Geological activity such as earthquakes, volcanoes, and tsunamis continues to sculpt the earth's landscape, sometimes with terrible consequences for its inhabitants.

In this one-of-a-kind, wild, but true history of Earth, two-time Sibert Honor Medalist Don Brown takes on big concepts with humor and ease.

Review Quotes

"Older Than Dirt's playful nature and innovative approach make learning science a true joy." --Shelf Awareness "The groundhog and worm's repartee results in a witty history of the planet that packs a remarkable amount of information into an engaging format." --Publishers Weekly "The groundhog is utterly endearing, and the worm is remarkably expressive considering the absence of limbs and most facial features. Readers will be entertained, informed, and inspired to learn more. . . A guaranteed hit with science lovers and a best bet for convincing skeptics that science is indeed a grand and exciting adventure." --Kirkus ? "In one hundred fact-crammed but surprisingly zippy pages, nonfiction graphic novelist extraordinaire Brown covers fourteen billion years of Earth's development. From the Big Bang to our planet's origin to land mass formation to the appearance of life, Brown and scientific consultant Perfit provide an astonishingly comprehensive overview and manage to humanize it with witty asides from the woodchuck and worm who serve as surrogate teacher and student, as well as quick visits with important historical scientists." --Booklist, starred review "...This is a worthy work of graphic nonfiction for earth science units." -School Library Journal "The graphic format, light tone, and amusing repartee keep up the pace over the course of an impressive number of geology topics."--Horn Book --

About the Author

Don Brown is the award-winning author and illustrator of many picture book biographies and graphic novels. He lives in New York.

Dr. Michael Perfit is professor and chair of geological sciences at the University of Florida, and he has authored or coauthored more than one hundred peer-reviewed technical papers and articles in scientific publications.