Product Description

In 1831, at only 22 years old, Darwin was offered the position of Naturalist on HMS Beagle's world voyage. He was set to become a clergyman but returns after five years at sea an inspired genius. This book follows the journey of HMS Beagle, showing life on-board the ship for Darwin, the captain, crew and the expedition's artist. The reader sees Darwin discovering and observing insect life in Brazil, fossils in Argentina , earthquakes in Chile and turtles in the Galapagos Islands. The reader is therefore able to follow the steps which led to Darwin's inspired theory of evolution, while also showing the adventures and escapades he had during the voyage. A faxcinating and colourful story of Darwin's life, this book also introduces young readers to one of the world's most important scientists and his discoveries. It concludes with a simple explanation of the theory of evolution. Written by an outstanding team in the field of children's non-fiction, this is a book to enlighten and inspire young readers.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #111482 in Books
• Published on: 2009-02-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 48 pages

Review
A finely balanced combination of facts and fun in this engaging guide to the life and discoveries of the British naturalist…The award-winning author and illustrator team clearly understand how to grab the interest of young children - the gory pictures of an early operating theatre and Darwin being seasick will be pored over as much as the more scholarly information! --Daily Mail

A picture book approach to the whole Darwin adventure makes a very accessible way into childhood and early science of the great man. Brita Granstrom's double-page illustrations, full of cuddly and smiling Victorians, provide an attractive backdrop to the story of Darwin's life, with much attention paid to his childhood passion for everything to do with nature. (And by way of encouragement to all child readers and their parents, much emphasis on on his ordinariness when young.) The biographical story as told in the pictures and with speech bubbles is easy to enjoy, but there is also a great deal of factual information to be had from the information boxes that accompany them --Guardian

Published in celebration of the bicentennary of Darwin's birth and the 150th anniversary of the publication of ON THE ORIGIN OF THE SPECIES, this book offers a unique and compelling introduction to his fascinating life. Written in the first person in illustrated diary form, there is immediacy to the story that is both vivacious and engaging. This is an inspiring book for children that entertains as it introduces the theory of evolution in simple terms. There are lively examples of Darwin's observations throughout which give life to his voyages and discoveries --Bookseller

This is a stunning book that combines a compelling adventure story with descriptions of major scientific discoveries and Darwin's theory of evolution. The illustrations hold the eye of the reader with their content and ever-changing colours and scenes. The book is one to return to may times from perhaps guided use for a child interested in adventure and nature study to an older child wanting an adventure story and scientific information. --IBBY Link

About the Author
Mick Manning grew up in Haworth, West Yorkshire and studied Illustration at the Royal College of Art in London. He has written and illustrated over 60 books, mostly with his partner Brita Granström.Their distinctive books have won many awards. Their first book, The World is Full of Babies, won the Smarties Silver Prize in 1996. Mick and Brita live in the Scottish Borders and have 4 sons. Their other books with Frances Lincoln include the critically acclaimed Fly on the Wall series: Roman Fort, Pharaoh¹s Egypt, Viking Longship and Greek Hero. Both Roman Fort and Viking Longship were shortlisted for the English Association 4-11 Awards. Snap! is the follow-up to Yuck! which was a regional winner of the Highland Book Awards 2006. Recently Mick and Brita donated the entire body of work created for their book Fly on the Wall: Greek Hero to Seven Stories, the centre for children's books. Brita Granström grew up on a Swedish farm and has an MFA in Fine Art from Konstfack, Stockholm. She and Mick Manning live in the Scottish Borders have four sons. Their first book together, The World is Full of Babies won the Smarties Silver Award in 1996 and their second book, What's Under the Bed? took the TES Junior Information Book Award in 1997. Yum Yum and How Did I Begin? were 2 of the 6 children's books shortlisted for the Rhone Poulene Prize in 1998. Science School made the shortlist in the following year. In 2000, Wash, Scrub, Brush! won the English Association's non-fiction award for the best picture book, with Let's Party making the shortlist in 2001. Brita won both Parenting Magazine's Book of the Year and the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award 2000 with her illustrations for Judy Hindley's Eyes, Nose, Fingers, Toes.

Customer Reviews

This book is a (Dar)winner!
I had been looking for a book about Darwin for my five year old daughter.

I wanted one that was fun but informative; that looked good but included all the information she needed to know; that had great illustrations and could condense a whole life's work into one short (preferably picture) book.

I was beginning to give up the hunt when I came across this great book. It does EVERYTHING I wanted and really is everything you could want from a picture book about Darwin!

The age range stated is 6-9 but my five year old loved it and reading the book has lead us to explore more on the subject.

Thoroughly recommended.