Bunting uses the familiar to explain the unfamiliar. He deftly uses food analogies, language from fairy tales and favourite childhood animals to highlight the vast science topics of astronomy, biology and evolution of life on Earth.
Sitting beside the simple language are illustrations, flow charts, diagrams, maps and time lines that assist with the understanding of this information.
Bunting's trademark of dashes of humour are evident in this book. When explaining the Out of Africa theory about human migration he says, 'The first humans lived in Africa, but our sense of curiosity and adventure soon took us to all coiners of the Earth. Except Antarctica. We left that to the penguins.' followed by a speech bubble from the penguins, 'Cheers.'
I like how Bunting has used the most familiar phrases from Goldilocks and the Three Bears to explain the theory of primordial soup '...the Earth was not too hot, and not too cold. That warm water was just right for the magic to happen.'
Bunting's abridged biography of life will have your primary school aged children asking even more questions about the creation of the universe, life on earth and how we are all made from star dust.
To explore more about of the themes in How did I get here? see; The Big Earth Book, Destination: Space and The First Earth Encyclopedia.
If you love humourous stories see these Philip Bunting stories; Koalas Eat Gum Leaves, and Kookaburras love to Laugh.
Title: How did I get here?
Author/Illustrator: Philip Bunting
Publisher: Omnibus Books, $24.99
Publication Date: 1 August 2018
Format: Hard Cover
ISBN: 9781742769684
For ages: 6 - 10
Type: Junior Non-Fiction, Picture Books
