Review by Booklist Review
*Starred Review* After tracing Charles Darwin's youth and education, this fully illustrated biography focuses on his five-year voyage aboard the HMS Beagle, when he observed geology, animals, and plants; collected specimens; and took extensive notes. He returned to England and spent his life researching, reflecting, and writing about his discoveries. Azarian, whose Snowflake Bentley (1998) won the Caldecott Medal, illustrates the book using handsome woodcut prints painted with watercolors. Quotes from Darwin's journals and letters appear as pictures of cursive lines on parchment-colored sheets, setting them apart from the narrative text as well as the illustrations. Source notes for quotes are appended. McGinty does a fine job of communicating Darwin's personal humility as well as his passion for exploring the natural world, his tireless work to understand it better, and his reluctance to publish a theory that seemed to contradict religious teaching. The interplay of the clearly written third-person text with Darwin's own words and occasional quotes from his contemporaries creates a multifaceted view that leads to a broader understanding. Biographies of scientists can be challenging to write for an audience unfamiliar with their research, but this one succeeds in introducing Darwin and his work to a surprisingly young group.--Phelan, Carolyn Copyright 2009 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Darwin and the natural world that fascinated him come into clear focus in this picture-book biography that pairs accessible text with handsome woodcut art. Tinted with watercolors, Caldecott Medalist Azarian's (Snowflake Bentley) illustrations convey the era in which Darwin lived and his devotion to his work (a humorous scene shows Darwin and his brother fleeing the shed where they conducted chemistry experiments, as green gas billows out). Especially compelling are Azarian's depictions of the young naturalist's five-year voyage aboard the HMS Beagle; he's seen excavating fossils and encountering rare species on the Galùpagos Islands. McGinty (Thank You, World) includes excerpts from Darwin's correspondence and notebook entries, which illuminate his private concerns and self-questioning. The author also effectively incorporates Darwin's thoughts into her own writing; after the publication of The Origin of the Species, he "braced himself for the worst. Would people say his work was not complete? Would they believe he was speaking out against the church?" These complementary narratives provide a solid portrait offering insight into Darwin's inner self as well as his accomplishments. Ages 6-9. (Apr.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-5-This picture-book biography emphasizes the scientist's curiosity and determination to learn the truth about nature. Most spreads contain two or three paragraphs of clear expository text in a comfortably large font, a handwritten quotation from a primary source, and a lovely watercolor-tinted woodcut. The text begins with Darwin's childhood interest in collecting specimens and experimenting with chemistry and moves through his education, his experiences on the Beagle, and the development of the theory of evolution. Although the topic does not dominate the book, McGinty takes on the issue of religion. She says, "Charles himself finally came to believe that there were no answers to his questions about God. He saw the universe as too amazing not to have been created by a God." The endnotes and source list are comprehensive but, appropriately, do not intrude on the easy-to-read text. Azarian's woodcuts are filled with cheerful color and capture the moments in Darwin's life that will most intrigue children. With its cover made to look like one of his own battered brown leather notebooks, showing the naturalist surrounded by his beloved specimens, this is a pleasing package for children just learning about the man and his work.-Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
(Intermediate) In this revealing work, readers have a chance to consider Darwin from two points of view: his own and his biographer's. The primary narrative follows Charles as he finds his calling on the life-changing voyage of the Beagle. Azarian's woodcuts (tinted with watercolors) evoke the naive art of the period; the beauty of the artist's natural materials partners nicely with Darwin's process of nature observation and scientific deduction that is stressed throughout. Explanations of natural selection are particularly strong, but the more revolutionary aspects of Darwin's theory of evolution are approached almost casually: "This book [The Descent of Man] took his species theory one step further and showed how humans as a species could have changed, or evolved, from the same ancestors as apes." Still, a final quote gives this theory its scientific due: "What began for Charles Darwin as scribbled thoughts in a secret notebook led to ideas that have forever changed how we see the world." Nearly every spread contains a parchment-like "letter" containing edited portions of Darwin's diary and letters. These quotes validate the main narrative and form an abbreviated chronological record for important events and thoughts in Charles's life. A brief author's note, source material, and full documentation complete this book. From HORN BOOK, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
An accessible and thoroughly engaging biography of the much-profiled scientist, this easy-to-follow narrative is enriched by striking illustrations and excerpts from Darwin's own writings. McGinty lays out the major events in Darwin's life clearly and both enhances readers' understanding and piques their interest by choosing the accompanying quotations carefully. Her writing is smooth and conversational, and while she compresses a large amount of information into only a few pages, readers never feel rushed or confused. In addition to describing his famous voyage on the Beagle, the author focuses on Darwin's long struggle to reconcile his discoveries with religious teachings, giving readers a better understanding not only of what Darwin posited but also the impact it had on his worldand ours. Azarian's woodcuts, hand-tinted with watercolors, showcase the wonders Darwin saw on his voyage beautifully and also illuminate the everyday environment of home and family. Presenting the quotations in script on facsimile paper fragments to evoke the style of the time adds to the overall appeal. Exquisite and enlightening. (author's, source notes) (Biography. 7-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
