Inside the "Beagle" with Charles Darwin (Inside (Enchanted Lion)) [Hardcover]

Fiona MacDonald (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: Inside (Enchanted Lion)

Combining exploration, sea faring adventure, and natural history, this splendidly illustrated book tells Darwin's exciting story.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6–Macdonald's informative text is complemented by many equally informative watercolor-and-ink illustrations. Readers will learn a great deal about life onboard the Beagle and its ports of call, as well as about Darwin's gathering of species, observations, and subsequent efforts to make scientific sense of both. The author also mentions the ship captain's violence with his crew and rather breezily describes his attempts to Christianize and educate four natives. Unfortunately, her writing is uneven: she does not include the ship's surgeon in the discussion of those onboard but refers to him as being jealous of Darwin on a later page, and she mentions Darwin's taking meals with the captain except when they quarreled. Readers will wonder why they were quarreling. The text is choppy at times, with some lack of clarity. The small maps that show the route are helpful; for some reason, none include the Galapagos Islands. A time line of the voyage and another of Darwin's life and works enhance understanding. In spite of some weaknesses, this book will spark interest in the subject. Overall it is a good introduction to a famous voyage and the scientific theories coming from it.–Peg Glisson, Mendon Center Elementary School, Pittsford, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 2-4. Darwin's defining voyage on the British navy ship The Beagle provides a focused introduction to the scientist's life and revolutionary work in this picture-book size title in the new Inside series. The spreads follow the naturalist's voyage around the globe, with introductory and closing sections that offer insight into his groundbreaking ideas. Macdonald uses balanced language, carefully referring to natural selection and evolution as theories even as she acknowledges that most scientists believe Darwin's ideas are correct. Her coverage of the scientist's encounters with indigenous peoples is not as evenhanded as it might have been: more care could have been taken when discussing Darwin's generalizations about, for example, the Maori people's "poor and dirty conditions" and "traditional passion for fighting," and Macdonald presents a jarringly breezy view of South American peoples who were "captured" and converted to Christianity and English customs. Still, the excellent, detailed cut-away images of the ship; open layouts; and numerous watercolor-and-ink pictures of life at sea will ignite children's interest in Darwin's work and ideas. Time lines and a glossary close. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Enchanted Lion Books (June 16, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592700411
• ISBN-13: 978-1592700417
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,917,880 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book introducing the concept of evolution to the general public is expertly told for young readers, September 12, 2005

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inside the "Beagle" with Charles Darwin (Inside (Enchanted Lion)) (Hardcover)

This 48-page history of Charles Darwin's famous sea voyage that was to ultimately result in his publishing a book introducing the concept of evolution to the general public is expertly told for young readers by Mark Bergin and perfectly complemented by the outstanding full color artwork and illustrations by Mark Bergin. Beginning with an informative and concise introduction of the life of Charles Robert Darwin (1809-1882), Inside The Beagle With Charles Darwin presents the ship "Beagle" being outfitted for the multi-year voyage, life on board ship, Darwin's exploration of the rainforest, finding fossils, returning home after visiting New Zealand and Australia, and then how Darwin arranged what he'd found, the deductions he made from his findings, and the basic concept that became known as the theory of evolution. Enhanced with a timeline of the voyage, a chronological list of Darwin's life and works, a glossary, and an index, Inside The Beagle With Charles Darwin is a seminal and strongly recommended addition to all grade school and community library Science History collections for children.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 stars or more, June 24, 2006

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a reader "a reader" (Stamford, CT United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Inside the "Beagle" with Charles Darwin (Inside (Enchanted Lion)) (Hardcover)

- at least for taking on the subject... much more consise and readable then the paired with it The Tree of Life by Sis. Also very much recommend "Our Family Tree: An Evolution Story" for kids from 3 to 9.