Title: Moth
Written by: Isabel Thomas
Illustrated by: Daniel Egnéus
Published by: Bloomsbury
This creative non-fiction picture book tells the story of the tiny peppered moth and its quest for survival. Against a lush backdrop of lichen-covered trees, the peppered moth lies hidden until the world begins to change. Moth by Isabel Thomas introduces the concept of natural selection and adaptation in a fun and visually stimulating way.
The theme of light and dark are encompassed throughout the moth’s story of how it negotiates the dangers of life, from the blue tits and other predators, to human interference. Learn how the moth adapts over the centuries to survive the pollution of the industrial revolution. Landscapes change as cities grow and people’s magnificent machines stain the land with soot yet the peppered moth struggles on. The illustrations are spectacular stencils in keeping with the light and dark theme.
It is a clever, thought-provoking way of introducing evolution. A great book for teaching camouflage to young children and ideal for inspiring the children’s own art work linked to camouflage.
This book review was previously published on the online Armadillo Children’s Book Review Magazine.