Catherine Barr specializes in clear explanations of ‘big issues for small people’. She has worked with Greenpeace and London's Natural History Museum before becoming a full-time researcher-writer. She describes herself as "interested in writing non-fiction stories that spark questions and conversation". Her bestselling book, The Story of Life, explaining the principle of evolution, was shortlisted for the English Association Picture Book Award in 2016. Catherine Barr lives near Hay-on-Wye. Anne Wilson has as MA in illustration from Central St Martins College of Art, London and has been practising as an illustrator for over 15 years. Much of her work is inspired by everyday life; pattern, colour and shape, she incorporates figurative elements, layers and textures, with mixed media, printmaking and computer techniques. Anne Wilson lives in Goring-on-Thames, Berkshire.

"I am confident that this book will be pored over individually, shared with friends, and discussed by primary school children of all ages. Although the text focuses on only fifteen creatures, the final list of another sixty endangered species will be hard to ignore. Who would not want to know more about the Golden-rumped Sengi, the Northern Quoll, the Devil’s Hole Pupfish or the Banded Cotinga? And the tribute written by Sir David Attenborough in praise of the IUCN Red List emphasises that this is a book with huge credibility and relevance for a young contemporary audience."