Charles Darwin and the Beagle Adventure (Historical Notebooks) [Hardcover]

A.J. Wood (Author), Clint Twist (Author), Various (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Historical Notebooks

Discover the plants, animals, and people Darwin encountered on his groundbreaking voyage aboard the BEAGLE. Packed with novelties, including extracts from Darwin’s diary and later works, CHARLES DARWIN AND THE BEAGLE ADVENTURE takes readers on an eyeopening exploration of our globe and uncovers the path that led to the cornerstone of natural history: the theory of evolution.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 4–8—Using a similar scrapbook format as the publisher's "ology" books, this is an engaging addition to the plethora of titles about Darwin that have come out on the 200th anniversary of his birth. Readers are immediately drawn into both the information on the man's life as well as his intriguing work observing the flora and fauna of the world, most notably in South America, where his theories on evolution first began to take seed. Detailed sidebars on topics such as hydrology, orchids, and beetles, while dry sounding, are actually quite fascinating. Excerpts from Darwin's own writings, as well as maps and drawings, lend substance to the book. Images are a combination of photographs, pencil drawings, color artwork, and diagrams, which add visual interest throughout. One drawback is that some of the fonts made to look like handwriting can be difficult to decipher, which may be a deterrent to some students. The handsome format will draw browsers, but the subject matter and the early look at evolutionary theory will hold readers. An excellent introduction to Darwin and his important work in the field of science.—Jody Kopple, Shady Hill School, Cambridge, MA END

About the Author

A.J. Wood, an author of children’s books for over twenty years, has written more than eighty titles, including a retelling of Aesop's THE LION AND THE MOUSE, which was nominated for a Carnegie Medal.

Clint Twist worked as a journalist and museum consultant before becoming a full-time author. He has written many books in the fields of science, nature, and history for readers of all ages as well as a number of articles in major reference works.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 30 pages
• Publisher: Templar (August 25, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0763645389
• ISBN-13: 978-0763645380
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 0.7 x 12.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #159,335 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book will enthrall you and as you wend your way through its pages you'll have the trip of a lifetime!, August 25, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Charles Darwin and the Beagle Adventure (Historical Notebooks) (Hardcover)

The HMS Beagle pulled up anchor and prepared to set sail for Brazil, but Charles Darwin's last minute invitation was almost refused because his father objected by saying, "If you can find any man of common sense who advises you to go, I will give my consent." A clergyman heading off to parts unknown to collect specimens was just a lot of rot. Fortunately, Charles's uncle gave his blessing and funded his passage. He was officially the ship's naturalist. On October 25, 1831, he was off to collect thousands of specimens that, in time, would change the way the world thought about the creation-evolutionary debate. In the meantime, Charles, the avid bug collector, would have to suffer though long periods of "severe sea sickness" on his way to change the world.

The first stop was Brazil. He invented a plankton net to capture many creatures in the ocean. He found dozens of unusual creatures on land and sea. "The young naturalist encountered hundreds of different species." Along the lengthy coast of South America his survey became more systematic and Charles "began to feel like a true explorer." He gathered and recorded his finds, he went off with "wild gauchos," he became frightened of the Fuegians (including four of Fitzroy's adopted Fuegian children), he tried to catch a glimpse of the elusive rainforest predators, he was caught in serious storms, he felt the "tremors of a violent earthquake" and had many, many more amazing experiences. You'll have an adventure simply by wending your way through this book!

I was enthralled by this book. Thoughtful touches like the swirl-patterned, marbled paper end pages gave it a period antiquarian look any bibliophile will appreciate. This book is an adventure unto itself with vignettes from Darwin's diaries, a pullout map, foldouts, flaps, booklets, envelopes filled with letters and faux photographs. It is profusely illustrated and the text was very well written and fascinating. The reader will almost feel the excitement of the voyage and discovery and will anticipate, but will never know exactly what there will be with the next turn of a page. Darwin's life is briefly touched upon, but this book is primarily concerned with his voyage on the HMS Beagle and his extraordinary discoveries. Are you ready for an adventure? If so, just step right up on the forecastle and join Darwin for the trip of a lifetime!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ideal for youngsters - great interactive book with rich materials, April 6, 2011

By 

JMB1014 "JMB1014" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Charles Darwin and the Beagle Adventure (Historical Notebooks) (Hardcover)

I got this book at the American Museum of Natural History in New York. It's one of the interactive books that contain many illustrations, pullout maps, envelopes, and folders containing documents and photos you can actually take out and examine, and the like. It's very colorful and lavishly produced, well bound and solid. There's even a magnetic closure with a picture of a lock on the cover. The Beagle voyage is inherently fascinating and an invaluable introduction to Darwin's later work, especially the development of the theory of evolution.

The book deals with Darwin's voyage on the HMS Beagle, but provides other contextual materials such as an envelope with a folder containing photographs of Darwin's study, his greenhouse, and his wife, Emma, Fuegian Jemmy Buttons, and the toe nails of a sloth. My grandson, who is six, adores the book. He promptly began memorizing the contents and enumerating them to anyone who would listen. This is a marvelous present and a splendid teaching device. Children love to open the envelopes, pull out the maps, and enjoy the pictures, even if the text may be a bit advanced for kids under the age of 9 or so.

While I would recommend the book more for children ages 9 and up, bright and inquisitive children who are younger can also enjoy it. Even adults may find that Darwin's seminal experiences on the Beagle take on real vitality when they see this volume. I cannot recommend it enough.