Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-5-Following in the footsteps of Jacqueline Briggs Martin's Snowflake Bentley (Houghton, 1998), this picture-book biography covers the life of Bentley at a similar reading level, but with a slightly different approach. Bahr's text, told from the point of view of Bentley's older brother, goes for the emotional heart of the story rather than a straight telling of the facts about the man's life and work. As seen through Charlie's eyes, Wilson's pioneering work in photographing snowflakes becomes secondary to the human qualities that led him to persist in what many called a pointless task: "That's the way I'll remember my brother. Always seeing the beauty. Always sharing it. Always taking care not to hurt anything." Jacobsen's illustrations have softer colors and less chunky lines than Mary Azarian's woodcuts for Martin's book. Multiple boxed scenes on each spread move the story along, and snowflakes spill joyfully through the borders. An author's note gives additional information about Wilson Bentley, but does not mention his brother at all, and it is not clear where the information included in this "imaginary reminiscence" was gathered. Still, the choice to use Charlie's voice creates an affectionate and moving portrait of a dedicated man, and, for all its similarities to Martin's book, this biography has a unique charm of its own.-Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Maryland School for the Deaf, Columbia (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
Ostensibly narrated by the subject's brother, this fictional reminiscence affectionately describes the life of Vermont farm boy-turned-scientist Willie Bentley. Consumed by a passion for snowflakes, Willie devoted himself to photographing their ephemeral beauty, often with homemade aids. Saturated black-outlined, warm-toned pastel images deftly illustrate the accomplished text. From HORN BOOK Spring 2003, (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.
