Trapped in the Tar Pit

Los Angeles may make readers think of movies, stars, and all things beautiful. But before it was Hollywood, just beneath the surface is a story. Thousands and thousands of years ago, prehistoric animals, birds, and insects lived on what is now considered La Brea—a neighborhood in Los Angeles, CA. Underneath the surface there are tar pits where these creatures were stuck, eventually offering up their fossils today. Author and illustrator do a wonderful job explaining to young children how fossils form. – School Library Journal * 8/1/25 *With infectious enthusiasm, Stremer invites readers to marvel at the extraordinary fossil riches that have come out of the La Brea Tar Pits—initially, over 750,000 specimens of everything from pollen grains to imperial mammoths. – Booklist * August 2025 *The fascinating story of the La Brea Tar Pits gets a wonderful introduction in Stremer’s latest offering. [The] text is a model of cause and effect, capturing the inherent drama of the original mammoth’s struggle while effortlessly condensing a long timeline without losing focus. Vidal’s digital illustrations consist of vibrant double-page spreads, which complement the text and breathe additional life into the story. – Horn Book * September/October 2025 Issue *A captivating addition to the paleontology shelf. – Kirkus * June 15, 2025 Issue *

Jessica Stremer is a mom and military spouse with a bachelor’s degree in biology. She combines her love of science and writing to create books that inspire kids to explore the world around them and beyond. She is the author of the nonfiction picture books Wonderfully Wild, Lights Out, and Trapped in the Tar Pit. When not writing, Jessica loves spending time with her family traveling, hiking, and camping.

Originally from New Mexico, Alexander Vidal studied cultural anthropology and spent time living in Africa and Asia before starting his career in illustration. Travel, exploration, and a love of animals and wild spaces continue to drive the themes of his work. He is the illustrator of the board book So Many Feet; nonfiction family activity book I Love Birds!: 52 Ways to Wonder, Wander, and Explore Birds with Kids; and picture books Cougar Crossing!, Just You and Me, The Bone Wars, and Trapped in the Tar Pit. Opuesto: A Borderland Book of Opposites is Alexander’s debut authored-illustrated picture book. He is a graduate of ArtCenter College of Design and lives in Los Angeles.