From the creators of the Caldecott Honor Book Song of the Water Boatman
and Other Pond Poems comes a celebration of ubiquitous life forms among
us. Newbery Honor-winning poet Joyce Sidman presents another unusual
blend of fine poetry and fascinating science illustrated in exquisite
hand-colored linocuts by Caldecott Honor artist Beckie Prange.
Ubiquitous (yoo-bik-wi-tuhs): Something that is (or seems to be)
everywhere at the same time.
Why is the beetle, born 265 million years ago, still with us today?
(Because its wings mutated and hardened). How did the gecko survive 160
million years? (By becoming nocturnal and developing sticky toe pads.)
How did the shark and the crow and the tiny ant survive millions and
millions of years? When 99 percent of all life forms on earth have
become extinct, why do some survive? And survive not just in one place,
but in many places: in deserts, in ice, in lakes and puddles, inside
houses and forest and farmland? Just how do they become ubiquitous?