With more than 140 years of history, the Museu de Ciències Naturals in Barcelona is a major institution dedicated to the conservation of collections and the study and teaching of natural history, hosting a broad range of events and exhibitions. The museum is an open, dynamic, and iconic facility that plays a vital role as a scientific forum promoting public awareness of current environmental issues.

Situated in Barcelona’s Parc del Fórum, the museum is home to the permanent exhibition ‘Planet Life’, which tells the story of Earth and the evolution of life. It presents the dynamic relationship between our planet’s geological processes and the living things that have lived and continue to live here, from Earth’s formation to the present day, via a continuing, complex, and cyclical process of evolution. The exhibition allows visitors to see Earth as a delicately balanced system that is nonetheless constantly changing. ‘Planet Life’ has served as an invaluable guide during the production of this book.

Aina Bestard is an illustrator and textile designer who divides her time between Barcelona and Mallorca. As a little girl, her grandfather shared his artistic vocation with her by teaching her to draw. Her beautifully illustrated children's books have been published around the world, and include What’s Hidden in the Sky, Planet Life, Landscapes of the Solar System, and Eatopedia. Bestard is a recipient of the Prix Sorcières and the Andersen Prize, among others.