There are animals and plants in the skies, deep underwater, on clifftops, in caves, underground and from long, long ago that remain hidden from the world. In Michael Bright’s new nonfiction book, Above, Below and Long Ago, kids can catch a rare glimpse of these elusive plants and animals.
Hear from the author about what inspired him to write the book and what he hopes young readers will take away from its pages.
What inspired you to write Above, Below and Long Ago?
The inspiration for the book came from the illustrator Jonathan Emmerson. He had created an image, not with the computer, as many illustrators do today, but using traditional methods, such as lino block printing. His first illustration was of a puffin on a clifftop (you can see it in the book on page 8) and it certainly grabbed my attention. I thought immediately that this was something with which I’d like to be involved. The next inspiration was the title. If I remember correctly, it was suggested by the book’s editor—so we had a style and a title. It was then up to me to come up with the stories.
A theme that occurs throughout the book is that of “hidden plants and animals” and finding them in unexpected places. I mean, who’d have thought that a plant could flower underground or a little mouse with outsized ears could survive on top of a snow-capped volcano in the Andes of South America.
What was your favorite part about writing and researching the book?
I knew that I would need to dig deep to find unusual stories, and it was, indeed, a long process, although having the internet makes it much easier than it used to be when I had to trawl through hundreds of books, magazines and newspapers and make seemingly endless telephone calls. Even so, it’s wonderful to discover something new and exciting, and this occurred several times during the research for this book, so I guess one of my favorite parts of the process is sifting out new information. That said, actually telling the story in my own words is equally beguiling. Being something of a wordsmith is an equally satisfying part of the creative process.
There are so many fascinating creatures mentioned in Above, Below and Long Ago! Do you have a favorite animal or plant covered in the book, or a favorite fact?
Oh my gosh, that’s a difficult one, as I like all the illustrations and stories. However, if I was pressed, I have a special liking for the plant at the top of a shear limestone cliff on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees mountains, which grows there and nowhere else in the world. I find it quite extraordinary that it survives in such an isolated place. Even more remarkable is that the plant depends totally on tiny ants for pollination and seed dispersal. If the ants go the plant dies and is likely to go extinct. So, it’s a particularly perilous life up there at the top of a mountain. I also have a soft spot for the basking shark as I’m a shark aficionado; in fact, my next two books are about sharks, this time for grownups, although I’m sure that older children would find them fascinating too.
What main takeaways do you hope for readers after they finish your book?
“Search and you will find” is the essence of the book. It’s what I had to do to write it and I hope it will stimulate youngsters to seek things for themselves.
You’ve written many books on wildlife and science! How do you change your writing style and process when writing a book for children?
Children are surprisingly savvy when it comes to wildlife and science, so there are not too many concessions one has to make as a writer. You must be more concise, because children’s books like Above, Below and Long Ago have relatively short paragraphs on each spread, so you can’t be verbose. You must come to the point. You can, however, introduce technical terms from time to time. If a child can master the tongue-twisting Tyrannosaurus rex they can usually understand things like climate change and habitat destruction. I think it’s good to stretch young minds.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
There’s no doubt in my mind that this is a very special book. From Jonathan’s marvelous illustrations to its captivating stories, it’s unique. If I were given it as a gift, it would make me very happy. I hope it will make you happy too.
Michael Bright has worked as an executive producer with the BBC’s world-renowned Natural History Unit, based in Bristol, and with its Science Unit in London. He is author of over a hundred books on wildlife, science, travel and conservation, including many for children. His bestseller Africa: Eye to Eye with the Unknown was written to accompany the popular television series presented by Sir David Attenborough. He is the recipient of many international radio and television awards, including the prestigious Prix Italia. He is a graduate of the University of London and a corporate biologist and member of the Royal Society of Biology.