Charlie needs to do a report and chooses to do it on a kiwi.  His classmates laugh and tease so Charlie does more research.  His kiwi stuffed animal encourages him to seek help from his great, great… Grandpa Charles (Darwin).  In the kiwi’s box, they zoom into the past to 1860.  Grandpa Charles explains why kiwis don’t fly, have whiskers, and are active at night.  They decide to go further into the past (30 million years ago) to see how kiwis adapted to the life they lead today.  But, to find out how birds first came to be, they travel even further into the past (150 million years ago) to discover how birds developed from the dinosaurs. Terrific resource for younger readers to go with units on evolution.

There is an excellent link (address on back jacket flap for an online exhibit) which gives other resources and information, interactive games, and an animated version of the story.  Unfortunately, if the jacket is missing, there is no other reference to this site.   nysci.org/explore/ontour/charlieandkiwi