Columbus (Paperback)

~ (Illustrator), (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

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

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.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 59 pages
• Publisher: Beautiful Feet Bks (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0964380331
• ISBN-13: 978-0964380332
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 8.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #190,408 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #65 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Action & Adventure
  #68 in	Books > Children's Books > History & Historical Fiction > Exploration & Discovery

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We enjoyed this book very much., October 26, 1999

By	Kaye Fink (Mansfield, TX) - See all my reviews

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 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Outdated and historically inaccurate, January 18, 2008

By	Ashley McDonald "Homeschooling Mom" (Florida) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is reflective of the times in which it was written and contemporary readers may view it as racist with its stereotypical portrayals of Native Americans. One would expect a degree of fiction because there is little which is known about Columbus' early life, but the book is terribly inaccurate. A better choice is Christopher Columbus: Navigator to the New World from Isaac Asimov's Pioneers of Science and Exploration series.