★A fascinating history of La Brea Tar Pits, the geologic wonder!
★The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum has over 400,000 visits per year from around the world.
★An author’s note at the end provides additional historical and scientific details.

A one-of-a-kind STEM gem! Join fellow science lovers in this creative non-fiction, poetical exploration surrounding the history, and little known origins, of the ice age and the La Brea Tar Pits―including what scientists are learning about climate change.

For tens of thousands of years, animals and plants fell into the natural trap of what we now call the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles. Millions of fossils, from hundreds of species, have been collected in this one unique site. Follow author Joyce Uglow's lyrical lines and Valerya Milovanova’s evocative illustrations, guiding readers into an entire ecosystem of plants and animals―stuck!

Thousands of years ago…
Surrounded by sagebrush,
Mugwort, and water fleas,
Sloth searched:
Browsing,
Munching on grass and twigs,
Seeking water.
But stepped into sticky stuff instead.
Sloth struggled.
Slowed.
Stopped.
Stuck!

Sidebars include details such as how changes in the shape of the dire wolf’s skull and snout are tied to climate changes and that there are no dinosaurs among the fossils because they died out 63 million years ago.

About the author
Joyce P. Uglow has been asking questions and collecting words since an early age. Retired, she now writes picture books and poetry for children who are also intrigued by words and our wondrous world,
books that educators, librarians, and kids tell each other about. She currently serves as SCBWI Wisconsin’s Assistant Regional Advisor and is on the Board of the Wisconsin Center for the Book. She digs in on topics from whales, rocks, bees, trees, and families to ancient cave art and fossils trapped in asphalt seeps and everything in between, and is unwaveringly committed to sparking kids’ interests.

About the illustrator
Valerya Milovanova is an illustrator and artist based in Hatfield, UK. Valerya moved to the UK for University, graduating from the University of Hertfordshire in illustration and graphic design. She loves working with different textures, combining traditional materials (especially ink and pencil) with digital media to create heartwarming, fun, and inviting illustrations.
Valerya also loves screenprinting, monoprinting, and RISO, often making prints for sale. Valerya is extremely inspired by nature, museums, history, animals, human connection, and a genuine passion for life. She is a proud participant of the MOTS Illustration Festival 2023 and her children’s picture book, “I Am Upset” was shortlisted for the Batsford Prize.