This book comprises a series of questions and answers about life among Later Pleistocene Europeans between 12,000-45,000 years ago. The questions are the sorts of things a child might ask. The answers read like the sort of answer a patient, and avuncular adult might reply. Both authors are experts in research on this topic. The write clearly and engagingly. The illustrations are beautiful, and they advance the narrative. At intervals, the book asks rhetorical questions, such as “What sorts of things have you found in nature that you thought fun to collect?” These can be springboards for discussion. I am an archaeologist with expertise in this topic, and I found no errors. I think this book could be a great purchase for public libraries, schools with curricula about human evolution (see below), and for anyone with children who express an interest in prehistoric times.
One of the very nice things about the book is that it pays attention to prehistoric children and their possible roles and activities. Historically, children are all-too-often “invisible” in scientific research into deep-time (Ice Age) prehistory. Prehistoric archaeology is beginning to correct this. In this respect the book aligns well with current trends in scientific research.
I feel especially confident assessing Living in the Ice Age’s potential use in children’s education. I am paleoanthropologist who studies Ice Age evidence (though mainly in Africa and Southwest Asia, rather than Europe). Each year for the past 15 years or more, as a personal academic “outreach” project I have given short presentations about human evolution and prehistory to a middle-schools near our university. The questions in this book are EXACTLY the sorts of questions the students ask me.
The book has clear maps showing site locations and a glossary at its end. A "further readings" for adults might have been nice, but interested readers can easily enough find other relevant works by the authors by searching for them on Amazon or elsewhere.
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