Comeback Creatures: Discover the Wild Things Once Thought Extinct? -- Leisa Stewart-Sharpe, Hardcover

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

Earth is a world of land and sea, of light and dark, of life and death, with thousands of species vanishing each year. They're gone, presumed extinct, lost for good . . . Or are they?

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 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. Compendium spreads dotted throughout the book 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.

The thoroughly researched yet lyrical text by children's author Leisa Stewart-Sharpe brings the story of each creature to life, alongside richly detailed artwork by illustrator Lucy Rose.

A captivating look at our world, Comeback Creatures is a hopeful exploration of wildlife conservation.

Author: Leisa Stewart-Sharpe
Publisher: Wide Eyed Editions
Published: 09/23/2025
Pages: 80
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 12.21h x 10.08w x 0.20d
ISBN: 9780711288362
Audience: Ages 9-12

About the Author
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 UK 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 colors 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.