Synopses & Reviews
Charles Darwin first visited the Galápagos Islands almost 200 years ago, only to discover a land filled with plants and animals that could not be found anywhere else on earth. How did they come to inhabit the island? How long will they remain? Thoroughly researched and filled with intricate and beautiful paintings, this extraordinary book by Award-winning author and artist Jason Chin is an epic saga of the life of an island—born of fire, rising to greatness, its decline, and finally the emergence of life on new islands. Island is one of Kirkus Reviews' Best Children's Books of 2012
Review
"Another superb contribution to scientific literature by Chin.”--Kirkus, starred
Review
“…a remarkable work and an asset for educators…”--Publishers Weekly, starred
“Chins gorgeous illustrations include sweeping double-page spreads of the island and its inhabitants…”--Horn Book Magazine, starred
"Another superb contribution to scientific literature by Chin.”--Kirkus, starred
"...this fine introduction to [the Galápagos] will surely stimulate readers interest.”--School Library Journal, starred
Review
"Handsome and succinct..."--
The Wall Street JournalChins remarkable introduction to the Galápagos is not just a story. Its a biography. It begins with an islands “birth” six million years ago. “A volcano has been growing under the ocean for millions of years,” Chin writes. “With this eruption it rises above the water for the first time, and a new island is born.” In full-page watercolor paintings and small-size panel illustrations, Chin shows how the tremendous explosion leaves a mass of lava, which hardens and grows into an island. Any reader who has ever made a homemade “volcano” out of baking soda will be hooked.
Writing scientific narrative nonfiction for young children is challenge enough, but creating engaging picture books for older children about the natural world isnt easy either. How to pull in the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” reader? Credit to Jason Chin, who succeeded at both in “Coral Reefs” (2011) and “Redwoods” (2009). He does so again in his latest, “Island: A Story of the Galápagos.”
Chin, as author-illustrator, melds geology with evolution, showing how the land and its inhabitants interact and shape one another in a natural-world interplay. We see how a few intrepid immigrant animals arrive, colonize and transform themselves to accommodate the particular features of their new home. The island grows and changes too as new eruptions lead to the appearance of other nearby islands, while eruptions on the original island grow infrequent, and then cease.
“…a remarkable work and an asset for educators…”--Publishers Weekly, starred
“Chins gorgeous illustrations include sweeping double-page spreads of the island and its inhabitants…”--Horn Book Magazine, starred
"Another superb contribution to scientific literature by Chin.”--Kirkus, starred
"...this fine introduction to [the Galápagos] will surely stimulate readers interest.”--School Library Journal, starred "The art is masterful in its combination of realism and artistic flow; the layout complements sweeping full-page, full-bleed landscapes with carefully controlled panel sequences that provide additional focus on a process or creature, so the evolution of larger finches beaks, for instance, is clearly demonstrated and explained." -- BCCB, starred review
Review
"Handsome and succinct..."--The Wall Street Journal
Chins remarkable introduction to the Galápagos is not just a story. Its a biography. It begins with an islands “birth” six million years ago. “A volcano has been growing under the ocean for millions of years,” Chin writes. “With this eruption it rises above the water for the first time, and a new island is born.” In full-page watercolor paintings and small-size panel illustrations, Chin shows how the tremendous explosion leaves a mass of lava, which hardens and grows into an island. Any reader who has ever made a homemade “volcano” out of baking soda will be hooked.
Writing scientific narrative nonfiction for young children is challenge enough, but creating engaging picture books for older children about the natural world isnt easy either. How to pull in the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” reader? Credit to Jason Chin, who succeeded at both in “Coral Reefs” (2011) and “Redwoods” (2009). He does so again in his latest, “Island: A Story of the Galápagos.”
Chin, as author-illustrator, melds geology with evolution, showing how the land and its inhabitants interact and shape one another in a natural-world interplay. We see how a few intrepid immigrant animals arrive, colonize and transform themselves to accommodate the particular features of their new home. The island grows and changes too as new eruptions lead to the appearance of other nearby islands, while eruptions on the original island grow infrequent, and then cease.
“…a remarkable work and an asset for educators…”--Publishers Weekly, starred
“Chins gorgeous illustrations include sweeping double-page spreads of the island and its inhabitants…”--Horn Book Magazine, starred
"Another superb contribution to scientific literature by Chin.”--Kirkus, starred
"...this fine introduction to [the Galápagos] will surely stimulate readers interest.”--School Library Journal, starred "The art is masterful in its combination of realism and artistic flow; the layout complements sweeping full-page, full-bleed landscapes with carefully controlled panel sequences that provide additional focus on a process or creature, so the evolution of larger finches beaks, for instance, is clearly demonstrated and explained." -- BCCB, starred review
Review
"Told from a welcome, fresh perspective."
and#8212;Kirkus
"Inquisitive readers eager to learn about the most mysterious corners of the planet will love this glimpse into near-uncharted territory."
and#8212;Booklist, starred review
"Sophie offers enthusiastic observations of the natural world, as she spots exotically shaped icebergs; penguins, seals, and whales; and the Southern Lights. . . . Endpapers packed with historic, geographic, and scientific statistics provide additional info about the continent."
and#8212;Publishers Weekly
"Reminiscent of Webb's My Season with Penguins but for a slightly younger crowd, Sophie Scott's journal will draw readers in to the wonders of our most remote continent."
and#8212;The Horn Book Magazine
"[A] stimulating, well-integrated mixture of text and images. . . There is great child appeal in the images, harsh conditions, and survival strategies, as well as in the behavior of animals."
and#8212;School Library Journal
Synopsis
Nine year-old Sophie Scottand#160;embarks on a mission toand#160;Antarctica aboard an icebreaker and documents her adventure in a diary ofand#160;its natural wonders.
Synopsis
Nine-year-old Sophie is going on a month-long voyage to Antarctica, with her dad, the captain of an icebreaker. Sailing the frozen seas round-trip from Australia to Mawson Station in the South Pole, Sophie recounts the adventure of a lifetime in her own words, illustrations, and color photographs. Sheand#8217;ll show us icebergs, penguins, seals, and whales! Itand#8217;s a dangerous journey, but Sophie is well prepared for the thrills and chills that await her on top of the world.
This friendly, informative, and beautifully presented picture book is based on the authorand#8217;s own experiences and shows the wonder of Antarctica through a childand#8217;s eyes.
About the Author
Jason Chin is the author and artist of the Roaring Brook titles Coral Reefs and the award-winning Redwoods, which Kirkus Reviews called, "an inventive eye-opening adventure." This is his third book with Roaring Brook Press. Jason lives with his wife Deirdre, also an artist, and his son in Vermont. www.jasonchin.net