On the Origin of Species; Sabina Radeva

From Sabina Radeva comes a beautifully presented book that makes the story of evolution accessible to younger readers. Since graduating from the M.Sc. Molecular Biology programme in 2008 she has become an illustrator and this is her first published book. And it is quite simply, an outstanding piece of work.

Charles Darwin was a naturalist whose ideas would revolutionise our understanding of how different species originated. In Darwin’s On the Origin of Species the reader is treated to a multitude of explanations on how creatures have evolved and adapted to their surroundings to why we can’t see evolution with our own eyes, how animals within a species are the same but different to the theory of natural selection, the evolution of the eye to mutual characteristics of certain species. This is just a snapshot of what is a thoroughly engrossing read from which I found myself learning plenty.

It is always going to be difficult to explain a concept to children that you can’t actually see happening. As the Chinese proverb goes, ”Tell me, I'll forget. Show me, I'll remember, Involve me, I'll understand.” Evolution is very difficult to show children or involve them in directly as it happens over thousand of years and they will only see a snapshot of it in their lifetime. What Radeva achieves through carefully thought out and simplified explanations is to make difficult concepts accessible. Striking illustrations and simple diagrams bring the concepts to life and help readers to fully understand some of Darwin’s most complexed ideas.

Before diving straight into Darwin’s ideas there is background on how his research came to be which although brief gives the reader an idea of why Darwin chose to do what he did. Further background is provided on Darwin’s family in a family tree and there is a brief mention to Darwin’s voyage on the HMS Beagle (as Radeva acknowledges - this journey and Darwin’s observations would form a book in its own right).

The appendix is full of useful information with further explanations of key ideas including DNA & Genes, Natural Section and Epigenetics. I found the misconceptions section to be of great interest as it really makes clear what evolution is and is not. The glossary is excellent and gives concise and age-appropriate definitions of key words. For those wanting to read more about Charles Darwin and evolution there is a list of recommended reads.

A wonderful addition to any child’s bookshelf.

​Recommended for 8+.