Earth's Children books in order

Q: "What order should I read the Earth's Children series?"

"Read in publication order starting with The Clan of the Cave Bear (1980). The six books form one continuous story of Ayla's journey through prehistoric Europe."

Q: "How many Earth's Children books are there?"

"There are 6 books in the Earth's Children series. Jean M. Auel has not published additional books in this series since completing it in 2011 with The Land of Painted Caves."

Q: "Is the Earth's Children series historically accurate?"

"Auel spent years researching the archaeology and anthropology of her settings. Many details about tools, animals, and prehistoric techniques are accurate, though some scientific understanding has evolved since the books were written."

Q: "What is the Earth's Children series about?"

"The series follows Ayla, a Cro-Magnon girl adopted by Neanderthals, as she navigates prehistoric Europe. It explores the interactions between different human species and the development of early human societies."

Reading order

#	Title	Year	Buy on Amazon
1	The Clan of the Cave Bear	1980	Buy
2	The Valley of Horses	1982	Buy
3	The Mammoth Hunters	1985	Buy
4	The Plains of Passage	1990	Buy
5	The Shelters of Stone	2002	Buy
6	The Land of Painted Caves	2011	Buy

The Earth’s Children series begins with Ayla, a five-year-old Cro-Magnon orphan left alone after an earthquake. Neanderthals from the nearby Clan find her and adopt her. The Neanderthals are dying out while Cro-Magnons are rising to dominance. Ayla, born to the new people, must adapt to their ways while belonging genetically to the other.

Jean M. Auel spent years researching archaeology, paleontology, and anthropology before writing the first book. She learned survival skills from experts, studied prehistoric sites in Europe, and consulted with archaeologists to ensure her representations of prehistoric life were credible. The result is a world that feels ancient and alien but authentically drawn from what we know of early human history.

The six books span Ayla’s life from childhood to maturity. She travels across prehistoric Europe, learning skills, making discoveries, and encountering different peoples. The series explores themes of adaptation, belonging, and the costs of being different from those around you. Ayla is an exceptional person - intelligent, curious, and skilled - whose talents sometimes make her an outcast.

Frequently Asked Questions

What order should I read the Earth's Children series?

Read in publication order starting with The Clan of the Cave Bear (1980). The six books form one continuous story of Ayla’s journey through prehistoric Europe.

How many Earth's Children books are there?

There are 6 books in the Earth’s Children series. Jean M. Auel has not published additional books in this series since completing it in 2011 with The Land of Painted Caves.

Is the Earth's Children series historically accurate?

Auel spent years researching the archaeology and anthropology of her settings. Many details about tools, animals, and prehistoric techniques are accurate, though some scientific understanding has evolved since the books were written.

What is the Earth's Children series about?

The series follows Ayla, a Cro-Magnon girl adopted by Neanderthals, as she navigates prehistoric Europe. It explores the interactions between different human species and the development of early human societies.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order