As is their custom, the d'Aulaires have thoroughly researched their subject in order to provide the most historically accurate account of the life of the man Samuel Eliot Morrison called "the greatest mariner that ever lived." In their pursuit, the d'Aulaires traveled to Spain, Portugal, and the Caribbean Islands to research original documents on the life of Columbus. Their text reflects many little- known facts not generally included in the typical biographies of Columbus. Readers will learn that it was the saga of Leif Erickson that was one of the inspirations for Columbus's voyage to the East. They will also learn that Columbus was such a skilled astronomer that he knew the exact date when the next eclipse of the moon was and used that knowledge to his advantage. They will also learn that though "Columbus was a great man, he was not a modest man. He wanted too much, and so he did not get enough" (54). This book is lavishly illustrated with the d'Aulaire's detailed lithographs in four colors. 54pg
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About the Author
After the publication of Ola in 1932, the work of Ingri and Edgar D'Aulaire has needed no introduction - their beautiful picture books have delighted countless children ever since. Ingri Mortenson and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire met in Munich where both were studying art in the 1920's. Ingri had grown up in Norway; Edgar, the son of a noted portrait painter, was born in Switzerland and had lived in Paris and Florence. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to the United States and began to create the picture books that have established their reputation for unique craftsmanship. Their books were known for their vivid lasting color. a result of the pain-staking process of stone lithography used for all their American history biographies. This was an old world craft in which they were both expert, which involved actually tracing their images on large slabs of Bavarian limestone. Throughout their long careers, Ingri and Edgar worked as a team on both art and text. Their research took them to the actual places of their biographies, including the countries of Italy, Portugal and Spain when they were researching Columbus; to the hills of Virginia while they researched Washington; and to the wilds of Kentucky and Illinois for Abraham Lincoln, winner of the Caldecott Medal. The fact that they spoke 5 languages fluently served them well in their European travels and in their research of original documents. Since their deaths in the 1980's, Ingri and Edgar's books and works have been kept alive by their two sons Ola and Nils.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By N. Porter
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Since I've been planning a 3rd grade curriculum for my daughter, I've been reading lots of children's books about Christopher Columbus. So I can safely say that this is definitely one of the most interesting, absorbing books I've read. Even I found it very interesting to read it, and get pulled into his story as if it was a novel. It is historically accurate from Columbus' point of view; some may argue that it is not fair to the Indians, but I disagree. It is a great idea to take this book and read it and then discuss the moral implications of Columbus' actions and the way that they viewed the Indians.
Regardless, the book is extremely interesting, has awesome pictures to go along with the enthralling story, and is a wonderful, historical book. My only complaint against it is that the end gets very depressing as it details how Columbus was treated at the end of his life... but that IS what happened, so it's not really a complaint, just a comment on the fact that it's, again, something to talk about. REALLY, REALLY great book for homeschooling or for the parent that likes to increase their child's knowledge of history!
From a Catholic or Christian parent, there is nothing to be contrary to the faith as well. I felt it was neutral if not positive towards the faith of the persons in the story. Perhaps for those not Christian it would annoy them to see the occasional comments about Columbus praising God or thanking God, etc... but to be fair, this is exactly how they thought in the time and so it really DOES belong in the story, regardless of what your beliefs are today. So a heads up to both Christian parent and not as to the content of the book.
Regardless, the book is extremely interesting, has awesome pictures to go along with the enthralling story, and is a wonderful, historical book. My only complaint against it is that the end gets very depressing as it details how Columbus was treated at the end of his life... but that IS what happened, so it's not really a complaint, just a comment on the fact that it's, again, something to talk about. REALLY, REALLY great book for homeschooling or for the parent that likes to increase their child's knowledge of history!
From a Catholic or Christian parent, there is nothing to be contrary to the faith as well. I felt it was neutral if not positive towards the faith of the persons in the story. Perhaps for those not Christian it would annoy them to see the occasional comments about Columbus praising God or thanking God, etc... but to be fair, this is exactly how they thought in the time and so it really DOES belong in the story, regardless of what your beliefs are today. So a heads up to both Christian parent and not as to the content of the book.
20 of 23 people found the following review helpful
By Kaye Fink
Format:Paperback
This book was used with my daughter's American History curriculum. It held her interest and provided her with more than just date recall. I will use it again with my other child.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
The D'Aulaires' give the child (and adult reader) a deep understanding of Columbus from the time of his youth through his old age. The details, like what the cover illustration means, draw children in and transforms Columbus from a name of a holiday to a flesh-and-blood man of discovery. If an era ever needed heroes of inspiration for young children, ours is it and the D'Aulaires' deliver.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Educational and engaging
Well written and illustrated. Comprehensive. Quality literature. A classic book to save and read again and again. Excellent for teaching.
Published 1 month ago by Paula M. Willett
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful job again!
The D'Aulaire's have produced another fabulous book that we add to our homeschool library.
I like that the book is large so the illustrations look more dramatic.
I like that the book is large so the illustrations look more dramatic.
Published 5 months ago by Ice Tea Mom
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ignore the cheesy cover illustration.
This book is fine. It covers all four voyages and gets into Columbus's personality. Read aloud to younger kids and let the big kids (3rd grade?) handle it on their own.
Published 19 months ago by M. Heiss
3.0 out of 5 stars
It's great, but slightly misleading
I am a homeschooling parent who has long seen the D'Aulaire's recommended from every corner. The books are expensive, though, so we purchased only a couple of them. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Will Riddle
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great information for 1st Grader
We are a homeschool family and we used this book for a unit we studied about Columbus. It was a good length, easy to understand, and the information was appropriate for a first... Read more
Published on November 13, 2010 by S. Morley
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