We cannot begin to imagine how lovely and diverse our planet is. The Book of Vanishing Species is an exquisite ode to the planet's most enigmatic, peculiar, and beautiful animals and plants. From the small, eyeless olm that resembles a dragon to the hawksbill turtle whose gender is determined by the temperature of the sand it is hatched in, their tales are enthralling. Even though these species have effectively adapted to their habitats and endured for hundreds of thousands of years, their future is still far from assured. Red cranes that dance and bow for the simple joy of movement are brought to life in the book, as are trees that exhale a misty haze for insects who only consume one type of flower.