The wondrous true story of one tiny bubble that sparked all life on Earth - including yours. Meet LUCA - our Last Universal Common Ancestor, the itty-bitty organism that every unique life-form on Earth can be traced back to. This sprinkle-sized blob was formed from the dust of exploded stars, water, and a lot of heat. LUCA was a single cell that split into two, and these cells multiplied into more organisms that grew and changed. Over the billions of years that followed, the descendants of LUCA evolved into bacteria, mushrooms, sharks, fir trees, lions - and humans! All the extraordinary life on Earth began with LUCA, through a miraculous process that could also occur on other planets. This vibrant and poetic informational picture book breaks down scientific concepts using simple, engaging language. Striking illustrations bring LUCA to life and reveal how readers are connected to one another, and every life-form on our planet, through one tiny bubble. AGES: 4 to 8 AUTHOR: Karen Krossing is the author of Sour Cakes and other stories for kids and teens. She recently graduated with an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She also conducts writing workshops and book talks. Karen lives in Toronto on the traditional territory of the Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and Anishinabeg and the treaty lands and territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. Born in Hong Kong, Dawn Lo is an illustrator currently based in Vancouver, the unceded lands of the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations. In addition to illustrating picture books, her work has appeared on stationery, greeting cards, public art installations, murals, and more. SELLING POINTS: . STEM curriculum ties to life systems and space systems . For fans of informational picture books like You Are Stardust and When Planet Earth Was New . An endnote and a glossary encourage curious readers to explore LUCA in more detail . Reviewed by an expert in molecular evolution
