Shell, Beak, Tusk

We think of evolution as a tree with branches that make clear, linear sense—with one animal and its traits clearly derived from one that came before it genetically. But what about animals who share key traits but aren’t on the same family tree? This is called convergent evolution, and it’s the big idea that Bridget Heos tackles in a kid-friendly way in Shell, Beak, Tusk. 

From mammals to reptiles, and everything in between, Heos manages to make some intriguing comparisons—and bring to life theories of evolution and convergentevolution in bite-sized, easily digested chunks of fun facts, illustrated with full-color photography throughout.

This exciting STEM for kids book reveals the surprising connections between different animals:

• Convergent Evolution: The amazing science of how different animals separately develop the same traits to survive in their environments.
• Surprising Animal Comparisons: Discover why a parrot and an octopus both have beaks, or why a turtle and a snail both evolved to have protective shells.
• Shared Traits: Explore how everything from spines and tusks to wings and camouflage can appear in completely unrelated species across the globe.
• Vibrant Full-Color Photography: See these incredible animal lookalikes up close with stunning photos on every page, making complex biology easy to understand.