Customer Reviews

Nicolaus Copernicus: The Earth Is a Planet

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

My [...] year-old astronomer-in-the-making adores Dennis Fradin's Copernicus, the reading of which has led to a desire to visit Frombork and its Nicolaus Copernicus Museum! That is the power of this beautifully illustrated biography, which touches on the social conditions in Poland at the time of Copernicus, the science of the Copernican system, as well as relating the essential story of the man himself. Parents and homeschooling families will find much to discuss and share in this book, although the text will stand on its own as well without additional enrichment or activities.

Fradin seems to have taken great care with the facts of the story. Unlike some science and biography related boks intended for children, Nicolaus Copernicus: The Earth is a Planet is *accurate* and does not lose factual credibility in its effort to make understandable how and why Copernicus arrived at his famous conclusions. Nor does the story shy away from the consequences that arose for scientists of the time who dared to contradict the Church, but rather addresses them in a non-scary, kid-appropriate way.

All in all, a wonderful effort and one I'm glad my family has experienced.

My son enjoyed this book. The history may not be quite right (is it ever?), but it has a nice story line and nice illustrations which makes it a great bed time story for aspiring scientists.

My children (ages 2, 4, & 8) enjoyed this book. I was so excited to find a children's biography on Copernicus. It has delightful, medieval-type drawings and seems to be historically accurate. The author did his research and does a wonderful job portraying the information in a manner that appeals to children. I'm always concerned about how authors present the church. Fradin mentions how Copernicus spent much of his life as a clergyman and didn't print his findings for fear of going against the church's teachings; however, he did print them just before he died. I thought it was a fair portrayal. I thought this was a great book!