One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin [Hardcover]

Kathryn Lasky (Author), Matthew Trueman (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 7 and up | Grade Level: 2 and up

A lively text and captivating images tell the story of the ever-curious boy who grew up to make one of the most significant discoveries of our time.

From the time Charles Darwin was a boy, he was happiest when he was out alone collecting specimens (especially beetles). And despite his father's efforts to turn young Darwin — a poor student — into a doctor or clergyman, the born naturalist jumped instead at the chance to sail around South America, observing and collecting flora and fauna all the way. In a clear, engaging narration, Kathryn Lasky takes readers along on Darwin's journey, from his discovery of seashells on mountaintops that revealed geological changes to his observations of variations in plants and animals, suggesting that all living things are evolving over time. Matthew Trueman's striking mixed-media illustrations include actual objects found in nature, enhancing this compelling look at the man behind the bold theory that would change the way we think about the world — and ourselves.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 3–6—Large and humorous mixed-media illustrations will draw children to this large-format biography. Using watercolor, graphite pencil, gouache, acrylic ink, colored pencil, and collage, Trueman captures Darwin's world and adventures. Cartoonlike people have prominent noses, expressive faces, and enormous hands. Throughout, the naturalist appears to be both curious and hapless, a description he might have given himself in his own modest journals. Lasky's text balances the exuberant artwork with well-organized information, gracefully sprinkling in quotes from Darwin's own writing. Touching briefly on his childhood, the text devotes most of the space to Darwin's years on the Beagle, explaining how his discoveries in geology, paleontology, and animal anatomy on that trip led to his theory about evolution. Lasky uses Darwin's own words to show that he questioned the literal nature of the Bible and the divinity of Jesus, but that he wrote several times praising God as the Creator. Although the text is brief, it creates a clear view of a man who was troubled by the implications of his observations and who, at the end of his life, was more interested in experimenting with earthworms and carnivorous plants than in promoting his theory.—Ellen Heath, Easton Area Public Library, Easton, PA
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From Booklist

Darwin’s legendary five-year voyage to South America aboard the Beagle forms the centerpiece of this informative picture book for confident readers. Lasky begins with Darwin’s childhood as a poor but remarkably curious student; he landed his spot as the naturalist on the Beagle more due to his enthusiasm than any standing in the scientific field. With clarity and style, Lasky recounts the puzzling things that he found on the trip, explores the questions he began asking, and hints at the conclusions he would arrive at, both in terms of biology and geology. Trueman’s skillful blend of inks, watercolors, pencils, gouache, and collage nicely capture Darwin’s fascination with the natural world, with fanciful scenes of Darwin peering through ferns, exploring islands, and even riding a giant turtle. With only a quick rundown of the hullabaloo surrounding the publication of The Origin of Species, the focus here is clearly on Darwin’s travels, and this accessible jaunt will easily situate the man as a natural adventurer in kids’ minds before he becomes just another stuffy old scientist. Grades 3-5. --Ian Chipman

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: Candlewick; 1st ed edition (January 13, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076361436X
• ISBN-13: 978-0763614362
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 0.4 x 11.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #428,317 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Inventions & Inventors

More About the Author

Hi Readers! Thanks for coming by my author page. I've written all sorts of books - from fantasy about animals to books about science. One of my favorite animal fantasy series, Guardians of Ga'Hoole, is a major motion picture. I liked writing about Ga'Hoole so much that I decided to revisit that world in a new series, Wolves of the Beyond. Visit my website, www.kathrynlasky.com to see a slide show about the real wolves I researched for the series and for the latest update on the Guardians of Ga'Hoole movie. All my best, Kathryn

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting read aloud, February 26, 2009

By 

K. Moulton "avid reader" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin (Hardcover)

I love this book for read aloud. It is a bit long for one sitting, but I prepared my students and they paid attention the entire time. It is beautifully illustrated. I have a class of fifth graders and I thought the reading level was just right. I like the way it dealt with Darwin's inner conflict regarding evolution and his and Emma's religious beliefs.
I would recommend it as a way of studying Darwin.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This adventurous and fun book makes the somewhat distant character, Charles Darwin, come alive for the reader!, October 18, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin (Hardcover)

There were a lot of interesting things in the house for Charles to
look at. It was not the kind of house where children were told things
like, "children must look, but not touch." Even his mother had
interesting things to look at, for she raised pigeons. One of his
favorite things to do was to collect beetles. He even learned the
names of them. Charles was learning many things, but not in school.
After his mother died, his father became exasperated with him. "You
. . . will be a disgrace to yourself and all your family "

When he was sixteen, he was sent off to college to learn medicine, but
he still didn't get the picture. His grades were lousy and he still
was interested in collecting things as he was a born naturalist, not a
student. Studying to be a doctor was definitely not in the cards so
his father sent him to the University of Cambridge to become a cleric.
And he was still interested in collecting things. Then one day a
letter came from a friend that would change his life forever. In 1831
he boarded the naval ship Beagle and would embark on a trip that would
change his life and would forever alter the way the world thought
about evolution.

This type of simple biography makes it easier for the reluctant
student to learn about a subject as the marvelous visual imagery can
be a great help. The book was adventurous and fun. It makes the
somewhat distant character, Charles Darwin, come alive for the reader.
Obviously this book is not for the creationist, but would make a
lovely addition to the home or classroom.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars VERY informative, July 12, 2010

By 

Ulyyf "Connie" (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin (Hardcover)

This is the sort of picture book that's really better suited for the older grades. It's NOT well-suited as a read-aloud, and it's written on a "6.8" reading level... that's right, suited for the end of the 6th grade.

It offers an ample view of Darwin's life and research. I've put it away for now, though, as my nieces simply aren't old enough and there's no room on their shelves for books they aren't reading!