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by Elizabeth Shreeve (Author), Violeta Encarnación (Illustrator)
An imaginative nonfiction middle grade exploration of mythology, paleontology, and early civilizations through legendary creatures from across the globe and the fossils that might have inspired their origins that "will draw in the most reluctant readers" (School Library Journal, starred review).
What if we lived in a world with fire-breathing dragons? Or enigmatic, alluring mermaids? How about rainbow-nibbling unicorns? These fabled beasts aren't as far from us as we think. After all, their legends had to have come from somewhere... Join us as we weave together legendary tales and new scientific findings to uncover connections between real and mythical creatures. Delving into the past, we'll see how our ancestors took what they found in the world and created the beloved fantastical creatures we dream about today. Could the skull of a protoceratops have inspired the hooked beak of a griffin? From manatee to mermaid, heron to phoenix, we'll trace the truth behind these fantastical creatures and make some new discoveries along the way!Author Biography
Award-winning author Elizabeth Shreeve grew up on the Atlantic coast in a family of scientists and storytellers. Elizabeth majored in geology at Harvard College, where she studied with renowned scientists Stephen Jay Gould and E. O. Wilson and snuck into art history classes whenever possible. While at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, she worked at the Archaeological Exploration of Sardis in western Turkey and fell in love with the wonders of the ancient world. Elizabeth now writes children's books that celebrate the origins and diversity of life on Earth. When not visiting schools or researching a book, Elizabeth lives in northern California with her family, including Hector the PaleoDog. Visit her at ElizabethShreeve.com, on YouTube at Elizabeth Shreeve Books, and @ShreeveBooks.
Violeta Encarnación is an award-winning Cuban illustrator based in New York City, known for her vibrant, storytelling-driven visuals across traditional and digital media. Her work spans editorial publications, murals, and picture books, often exploring our connection to nature and each other and inviting viewers to reflect on these relationships. In her free time, she's an avid plant lover who is always pushing the limit of how much green her apartment can take, and a culinary enthusiast on the weekends. Visit her at VioletaEncarnacion.com and @_Violeta.Encarnacion_.
