If the scientist and explorer Charles Darwin was still alive he would celebrate his 200th birthday next week. On February 12, in fact. It was Charles Darwin who gave us the theory of evolution, sweeping aside the notion that seven days was enough to create the world. (That was a very nice story, but very poor science!)

Darwin’s book On the Origin of Species explained his theories and obversations, which he developed over many years, travelling to all parts of the world including Australia. Charles Darwin’s life and his discoveries changed the course of history.

If you want to know more about Charles Darwin, a great place to start is Tree of Life by Peter Sis. You can visit Peter’s website, which has a brilliant animated tour of Tree of Life.

The book has been a favourite of mine for a long time, as Sis is one of the world’s best illustrators. You will see that Darwin was very much more than a nerdy guy with a big beard.

(And there are teacher’s notes too.)

Happy birthday, Charles Darwin!