What’s in a Name:The Extraordinary Stories Behind Scientific Names

Culture and science come together in this amazing and fascinating volume that connects taxonomy with myth and
imagination.

Draco volans. Hedera helix. Tenebrio molitor. These Latin terms sound like spells, but behind each lies a story—sometimes poetic, sometimes absurd, always memorable. Perfect for age 10 and up.

Bold typography and an airy layout make the information inviting and easy to absorb, turning each spread into a moment of discovery for curious readers. More than a catalog of creatures, this book shows how the life sciences intertwine with history, literature, and imagination, to create an extraordinary record of the natural world.

• A frog named after Freddie Mercury in honor of his extraordinary voice.
• An ichneumon wasp christened Moby Dick for its pale, harpoon-like form.
• A jumping spider called Bagheera kiplingi—a double nod to Kipling and his Jungle Book panther.
• Even a dinosaur, Oviraptor philoceratops, once condemned as an egg thief, later celebrated as a devoted parent.

Playful illustrations capture the humor and strangeness behind each name, while short, lively texts deliver fascinating facts in quick, catchy bursts.

Curious, surprising, and beautifully crafted, What’s in a Name? transforms the index of life into a cabinet of wonders where language, discovery, and storytelling converge. | ALEX NOGUÉS is a geologist specializing in groundwater and paleontology. At the age of twelve, he found his first fossil and, years later, discovered that the previously unidentified fossilized organism had been named Alexina papyracea in his honor. Alex has written over sixty books. He lives in Spain.

GUIDO FERRO is an Argentinian illustrator who supplies art and editorial direction, graphic design, and animation for clients worldwide. Additionally, he shares his expertise by hosting courses and workshops on illustration and creativity.