Invented by Animals: Meet the creatures who inspired our everyday technology

By Author / Illustrator

Christiane Dorion, Gosia Herba

Genre

Animals

Age range(s)

Publisher

Wide-Eyed

ISBN

9781805702283

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

09-04-2026

Synopsis

Discover the animal inventors who have shared their super inventing powers to make amazing things for humans in this internationally bestselling book for kids! WINNER OF THE BLUE PETER BOOK AWARDS 2022!

Humans may think they're the ultimate inventors, but animals have been solving problems and creating ingenious designs for millions of years. From super-speed swimmers to masters of disguise, nature's inventors have inspired some of the world's most amazing technologies - and this book reveals their secrets.

This fascinating and fact-packed book includes: Brilliant animal innovations that have shaped human inventions, from shark skin swimsuits to bird-inspired bullet trains; Mind-blowing adaptations like gecko feet that stick without glue, butterfly wings that shimmer without pigment and termite mounds that inspired eco-friendly architecture; Fascinating science explained in a fun, accessible way for young readers; and stunning illustrations that bring the inventions to life.

Check out the snail who has invented a house that stays cool inside even in the desert and take a closer look at the eagle whose super-zoom vision has inspired the invention of the world's tiniest and most powerful cameras. Every animal - and their invention - is a marvel in this unique non-fiction blend of science, technology and wildlife.

Perfect for animal enthusiasts and budding inventors, Invented by Animals will change the way you see the natural world.

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Reviews

Jo

Invented by Animals is one of those gloriously quirky non-fiction books that makes you say "Wow!" on every page. The big idea is simple but brilliant: for as long as humans have been inventing things, we've been taking inspiration from animals; this book celebrates that with real flair.

From bats helping us invent radar to shark skin inspiring swimsuits and submarines, it turns out animals were doing clever tech stuff long before humans. Sometimes the book zooms out to themed double-page spreads like Mighty Recyclers or The Art of Flying, and sometimes it lets a single unexpected hero steal the spotlight - hello slug, jellyfish and earwig.

One of the real joys of this book is the authorial voice. Each spread is written in the first person, with the animals themselves patiently (and slightly smugly) explaining just how helpful they've been to humanity. It's a clever, funny twist on animal non-fiction and feels like having a chat with the world's most knowledgeable wildlife guides.

The illustrations are bold, bright and instantly eye-catching. Animals are dropped into human-like settings - a porcupine as a surgeon explaining how its quills could improve medical staples, or an octopus proudly showing off its disguise skills - and it all works beautifully.

Packed with fascinating facts, gentle humour and jaw-dropping examples of biomimicry, it's an absolute must-have for school libraries - and for any curious child (or adult) who loves learning weird, wonderful things.

80 pages / Reviewed by Jo Clarke, teacher