3 Reasons Why You Should Read The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Extinct Animals by Sami Bayly

What’s the book about?

Discover the incredible features and characteristics of some of the natural world’s most fascinating extinct and critically endangered animals in the latest gorgeously illustrated hardcover encyclopaedia from award-winning author and illustrator Sami Bayly.

Pore over beautifully detailed illustrations of some of the most fascinating extinct and critically endangered animals in the natural world. Discover how these species fit into the history of the animal kingdom and why they have become extinct or are under threat.

Featuring facts and astonishing illustrations about sixty amazing animals, including the Western black rhino, thylacine, dodo, South Island giant moa and Tapanuli orangutan, as well as megafauna such as the giant wombat-like diprotodon and the crocodile-like Quinkana. Plus creatures with mysterious origins like Delcourt’s giant gecko.

Recommended for: 

Ages 7+.

Three reasons to read it: 

1. Bayly’s illustrations are nothing short of breathtaking. Each page is adorned with intricate, colourful renderings that bring these long-lost creatures to life. The vibrant artistry doesn’t merely complement the text; it enchants the reader, capturing the essence of each species. This visual extravaganza engages the imagination and invites readers—both young and old—to marvel at the diversity of life that once thrived on our planet.
2. Open the pages of this encyclopaedia and step into a vivid tapestry of history where creatures once roamed the Earth, flourishing in diverse ecosystems. Bayly’s meticulously researched entries transport you back in time, allowing you to envision the majestic woolly mammoth grazing in the icy tundra or the colossal dodo fluttering among the lush foliage. It’s not just a book; it’s a time machine that whispers tales of survival, adaptation, and ultimately, extinction.
3. The stories of extinction woven throughout the book serve as poignant reminders of the fragility of life. By learning about the fate of these remarkable animals, readers are inspired to become stewards of the environment. The encyclopaedia encourages a sense of responsibility and a call to action, fostering a generation of conservationists who will work to protect the incredible diversity of life that still graces our planet. It’s a powerful message of hope intertwined with the lessons of history.

Buy a copy of The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Extinct Animals here.

About the author:

Sami Bayly is a natural history illustrator based in Newcastle, NSW, who loves all things weird and wonderful. She finds the beauty and importance of all animals regardless of their appearance, and hopes to share her appreciation with others. Sami’s first book, The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals, won the Children’s Indie Book of the Year Award and the Australian Book Design Award for Younger Readers. It was a CBCA Honour Book and was shortlisted for an ABIA Book of the Year for Younger Children and longlisted for the ABA Booksellers’ Choice 2020 Book of the Year Awards. Her second book, The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals, was a CBCA Honour Book, an ABIA Book of the Year for Younger Children, won an Australian Book Design Award for Younger Readers and was shortlisted for the Children’s Indie Book of the Year 2020. The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Peculiar Pairs was shortlisted for the CBCA Eve Pownall Award and longlisted for Children’s Indie Book of the Year Award. Sami’s most recent books are How We Came to Be: Surprising Sea Creatures and How We Came to Be: Creatures of Camouflage.