One Tiny Bubble - by Karen Krossing (Hardcover)

About the Book

"For fans of You Are Stardust and When Planet Earth Was New, ONE TINY BUBBLE is a wondrous and accessible introduction to the idea that every living organism on planet Earth shares the same origin. Imagine: Plant, insect, mammal--we developed from the same basic ingredients. We all evolved from LUCA, which stands for our Last Universal Common Ancestor. ONE TINY BUBBLE distills this large and complex concept into something kids can easily grasp and ponder. Karen Krossing's light, lively and very accessible text begins long, long ago, when the earth was an unfriendly place. Miraculously, out the dust of exploded stars that mixes with water to form a muddy soup and a lot of heat, LUCA bubbled to life. "LUCA was a squishy blob with no legs or arms. No eyes or mouth. Tinier than a cupcake sprinkle, it triggered mighty changes on our planet." A single cell, it then "split into two beings. Two became more and even more, each growing and some changing." Over the billions of years that followed, the descendants of those simple beings evolved, until eventually "your great-grandparents, your grandparents, your parents, and now ... you" became part of this LUCA family, the oldest family on Earth. And in wonderful twist, the story doesn't really end as Karen projects this idea out onto the stars, reminding readers of their connection to this "miracle that could be repeated on another world." Karen has included an equally accessible and well-written endnote "About LUCA," which provides readers with a more scientific explanation and context, and a glossary defines some terms used in the text."--]cProvided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

The wondrous true story of one tiny bubble that sparked all life on Earth--including yours

Meet LUCA--our Last Universal Common Ancestor, the itty-bitty organism that every unique life-form on Earth can be traced back to. This sprinkle-sized blob was formed from the dust of exploded stars, water, and a lot of heat. LUCA was a single cell that split into two, and these cells multiplied into more organisms that grew and changed. Over the billions of years that followed, the descendants of LUCA evolved into bacteria, mushrooms, sharks, fir trees, lions--and humans! All the extraordinary life on Earth began with LUCA, through a miraculous process that could also occur on other planets.

This vibrant and poetic informational picture book breaks down scientific concepts using simple, engaging language. Striking illustrations bring LUCA to life and reveal how readers are connected to one another, and every life-form on our planet, through one tiny bubble.

Review Quotes

"A vibrant, poetic, and impressively informational picture book that breaks down scientific concepts using simple, engaging language ... An extraordinary and unreservedly recommended addition."

-- "Midwest Book Review"

"An accessible and thought-provoking narrative nonfiction title to include in STEM collections for young elementary school-aged readers."

-- "Children's Literature Comprehensive Database"

"Krossing's gentle, lyrical text explains a complex concept to young readers ... The simplicity of Lo's vibrant, coloured illustrations not only suits the writing style but will also appeal to the book's target audience."

-- "Canadian Review of Materials"

"A simple, matter-of-fact reminder that we are all connected."

-- "Kirkus Reviews"

"This book squeezes millions of years of our past into a beautiful brief narrative of our last universal common ancestor ... In accessible and engaging illustrations, young readers will get excited about a tiny bubble and find plenty of fodder for story time -discussion."

-- "School Library Journal"