Tucking Emily into bed, her little eyes starting to roll back in her head:
Emily: Who is the oldest Zamrycki?
Me: That would be Grandpapa. And Sebastian is the youngest.
Emily: Was there anyone before Grandpapa?
Me: Oh yes. Lots. But that was a long time ago.
Emily: Who were they?
Me: I don’t really know. But I know they lived in Poland and their name was a little different. It was Zambrzycki back then.
Emily: Oh. Who was the first person ever? And where did they live? And where did they come from?
Me: Oh boy. That’s a tough one.
Emily: OK, what was the first animal ever?
Me: I don’t know. But I’m going to guess it was the amoeba.
Emily: What’s that?
Me: Uh… it’s very small.
Emily: And then what?
Me: Maybe fish. Or turtles. Or crocodiles? I don’t know.
Emily: But then the dinosaurs came.
Me: That’s right.
Emily: And then monkeys. And then people. No! Then came scientists. And then real people.
Excellent. She understands that scientists are above real people. You have taught her well.
Interesting, I took that to mean that scientists were less developed than real people.
Here is a list of children’s books about evolution: http://www.charliesplayhouse.com/childrens-books.php
I’d also tell you to hit 575 in the junior non-fiction section of your local library but I don’t know that they use the Dewey Decimal system in Spain!
Oh, so sweeeeeet. That was some leap from amoebas to dinosaurs. Darwin would have been blown away.