Virginia Lee Burton (1909–1968)

Burton sets the stage and tells the drama of the history of the earth. Starting at the beginning of the universe, she bring us forward through time through each era and describes the major geological features as well as the forms of life present at the time. As she approaches the present, the time periods become shorter until we we are in the present century, the present lifetime, the present year, the present season, the present day. The illustrations are vibrant and play into the "drama" setting by showing an image of the era as if it's playing out on a stage. The text page features interesting details in black, white and yellow. Despite the scope and scale of the book, the narrative imparts you with the significance of your life in the present moment, small as it is in comparison to all you've just witnessed.

"And now it is your Life Story and it is you who play the leading role. The stage is set, the time is now, and the place wherever you are. Each passing second a new link in the endless chain of Time. The drama of Life is a continuous story--ever new, ever changing, and ever wondrous to behold."… (more)