The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Extinct Animals

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Extinct Animals. Written and illustrated by Sami Bayly. Hachette Australia 2024. Hardcover Non-Fiction RRP $32.99. ISBN 9780734421395.

Reviewed by Debra Williams

Sami Bayly is an award-winning author and illustrator from Newcastle. She is fascinated by animal and insect life and loves to represent all types of creatures great and small. This beautifully illustrated large book has features and facts relating to 60 animals that have either become extinct (including some in recent years) or are critically endangered worldwide, including Australia.

Species include the Western black rhino, thylacine, dodo, South Island giant moa, and Tapanuli orangutan, as well as megafauna such as the giant wombat-like diprotodon and the crocodile-like Quinkana, plus, creatures with mysterious origins like Delcourt's giant gecko.

Many of these species were hunted to extinction which is a sad reality. Interestingly, we have a Diprotodon skeleton in our local museum, discovered right here in Smithton in remote far North-West Tasmania.

This book will be enjoyed by both adults and children aged 8+ years.