Comeback Creatures: Discover the animals that returned from extinction

Discover animals thought to be extinct that have been found alive in the wild! 

It’s a sad fact of our world that some creatures have gone extinct. Whether their homes have been destroyed by climate change or their numbers decimated by low food supplies, they are lost forever, never to be seen on Earth again.

But where there is life, there is hope … 

In some special cases, certain creatures, thought to have died out, have been found alive and thriving by scientists and local people. They are known as Lazarus species. From the black-footed ferret, which was thought to have died out from disease but was discovered on a porch in Wyoming, USA, to the Pinocchio lizard, a long-nosed reptile found in the cloud forests of Ecuador, examples can be found all over the globe. Comeback Creatures is just packed with inspirational stories of animals that have come back from the brink!

Read all about a habitat and the animals and plant life within it, then turn the page to reveal a Lazarus creature that has been found there and the fascinating story behind its discovery. What's more, you'll find compendium spreads dotted throughout the book that give a snapshot into even more of these creatures that have defied the odds to survive. 

At the back of the book there’s information on how to become a wildlife detective to protect nature where you live, along with a map to show each habitat and a helpful glossary. 

With lyrical storytelling from Leisa Stewart-Sharpe and atmospheric illustrations by Lucy Rose, Comeback Creatures is a celebration of survival, curiosity and the wild wonders still waiting to be discovered.

Leisa Stewart-Sharpe is an author of children's non-fiction and picture books. Born in Bundaberg, Australia, Leisa grew up fascinated by wild places and even wilder animals. As an adult, Leisa brings that fascination to a wide array of children's books, taking in everything from chocolate to buried treasure and sharks to environmental activism. Her works include the companion books to the BBC's Blue Planet II, The Green Planet and Frozen Planet II, as well as Happy Stories for Animal Lovers (Ivy Kids, 2023) and The Comeback Creatures (Wide Eyed Editions, 2024). Leisa lives in England with her family.

Lucy Rose is a Devon based illustrator that graduated from Falmouth University in 2015 with a BA Hons in Illustration. She is inspired by vintage prints, art-deco posters and textile pattern, influencing her choice of muted/vintage colours and often pattern-like compositions. Lucy has also always loved the print process and this is reflected in her work with organic textures and graphic layering. Living in Devon, UK, she takes huge inspiration from the countryside and sea that is on her doorstep.