Reviews

• “In her whimsical new book, Swedish artist Maja Säfström presents a collection of remarkable extinct creatures.”

• “Maja Säfström’s new page-turner Animals of A Bygone Era [is] a book that builds a bridge between facts and fantasy. /…/ The book offers as much education for the average adult as it does for the kids. Animals of A Bygone Era stimulates the ability to think big, and freely.”

• “An absorbing sequel to The Illustrated Compendium of Amazing Animal Facts. /…/ The sea scorpion, the giant dragonfly, the Titanoboa and the Irish elk: the Natural History Museum comes alive thanks to Säfström’s selections and craftsmanship.”

• “Fascinating and astonishing reading from start to finish – to think that all of these prehistoric animals once existed, for real! Exciting and easy-to-read facts, a quiet humor, and beautiful drawings.”

• “A phenomenal lesson in evolutionary history where the descriptions have a clear focus on the animal’s physical likeness to animals alive today. It is done in a humorous and stylistically confident manner. The illustrations are unembellished in black and white, but have a playfulness that makes the animals utterly irresistibly charming. The text is handwritten with block capitals, making it easy for those just beginning to read.”

• “Säfström’s drawings – I’d love to have one on my wall – are extremely touching, humorous and depict the different animals with distinct and lovable characteristics. I smiled throughout the whole book.”

• “In playfully charming ink illustrations drawn with a fine-tip pen and black areas, our predecessors step or swim or just sit there munching across a spread each. Handwritten capital letters share the child-friendly, short and fun facts about these creatures who, to most of us, are unknown and extinct. /…/ [This work is] excellent for children beginning to read by themselves as well as for grandparents who want to read aloud, and it is easy to talk and think about what you see together. The parent generation too, can certainly learn a whole lot about the course of life and how it evolved /…/ This book definitely stirs the imagination and stimulates the train of thought.”

• “Illustrations that inspire the imagination and make both young and old smile and learn lots of new things about all kinds of creatures that have previously lived on this planet.”

• “The sequel to the hit title Amazing Animal Facts is just as good. /…/ The book expands my scope of knowledge and opens up for the most fantastic notions about prehistory.”

• “A fascinating book about historical animals. /…/ Suitable for children and those interested in history alike.”

• “It’s a captivating book that imparts new knowledge, but also sets your imagination into motion and encourages reading as well as talking together with your children.”

• “Meet the giant dragonfly, the pterosaur and the first fish in this cute and educational illustrated book.”