BOOKS & CO - SURPRISING SEA CREATURES - How we came to be - Sami Bayly

Take a fun and accessible deep dive into why certain animals have evolved their unique and distinctive characteristics. The first book in a series of evolution origin stories that will teach young readers about evolution and encourage them to think about changes to the natural environment over time, as well as the impact of those changes on our animal species.

This gorgeous hardcover book is illustrated in exquisite detail by award-winning author and illustrator, Sami Bayly. A brilliant companion to The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals.

About the Author

Sami Bayly is a natural history illustrator based in Newcastle, 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 has been shortlisted for the CBCA Eve Pownall Award, the ABIA Book of the Year for Younger Children, the Australian Book Design Awards, and longlisted for the ABA Booksellers' Choice 2020 Book of the Year Awards.

Harcover, 32 Pages

For Ages: 3 +

About the Author/Illustrator

Sami is 25 years old and is currently based in Armidale, NSW. She has released three books, The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals, The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals and The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Peculiar Pairs in Nature, published by Lothian - Hachette Australia, which is available for purchase from all good bookstores. You can also purchase from her directly through the ‘shop’ section above.

Over the years Sami has won and been nominated for numerous awards, receiving Highly Commended for the Community Educator of the Year in the 2021 Environmental Education Awards.
Her first book, The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Ugly Animals won the Children's Indie Book of the Year Award and the Best Designed Children’s Non-Fiction Illustrated book held by the Australian Book Design Awards. In the USA it was the 2020 GOLD Winner for the Juvenile Non-Fiction Award, held by Foreword Reviews.
It received the Honour Award for the CBCA Eve Pownall Award and was shortlisted for the ABIA Book of the Year for Younger Children and the ABA Booksellers' Choice 2020 Book of the Year Awards.

Her second book, The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Dangerous Animals, received the Honour Award for the CBCA Eve Pownall Award and was shortlisted for the Children's Indie Book of the Year Award, the ABIA Book of the Year for Younger Children and the Queensland Literacy Awards for the Children’s Book of The Year.
Both books have been published overseas in numerous countries, including the UK, USA and Russia, with more to come.

Sami is trained in scientific illustration through a bachelor of Natural History Illustration (Honours) at the University of Newcastle, Australia.
She is inspired by artists like William T. Cooper and other natural history illustrators, after seeing their work whilst growing up.
She loves to try new mediums and techniques as she never knows what style she might fall in love with next. However, at this point in time her most preferred medium is watercolour, and she loves to illustrate any animal that can be defined as weird, wonderful or even ugly!

If you want to be kept up to date with her process, book signing, workshops and even see some sneak peaks of her upcoming books, then follow her on social media.

Sami is available for school visits, workshops or other events, so if you have enquiries any of the above, please do not hesitate to contact via the below links.