Island

Starred review from August 13, 2012
Chin (Coral Reefs) does more than just explain how species of reptiles and birds on the Galapagos have evolved. He begins with the birth of the islands themselves, a process in which volcanic eruptions punch successive holes in the Earth’s surface as tectonic plates move over them. Set against changes in the islands’ climate and geology over many millennia, the adaptations of the islands’ animals take on new significance. Many explanations of Darwin’s work mention Galapagos finches and the trend toward stronger beaks; fewer clarify that the larger seeds a stronger beak can crack are all that’s left as the islands subside and droughts become more common. Other changes are attributed to drought, too: tortoise shells develop a “saddleback” shape, “better for keeping cool and navigating the desert.” Chin’s artwork features rich color, inviting detail, and a dynamic balance between small serial panels and majestic spreads. It’s a remarkable work and an asset for educators struggling to present material about evolution in a balanced way. Explicating scientific content this gracefully and clearly is no small achievement. Ages 5–9.

Starred review from July 1, 2012
A beautifully made picture book presents the story of the Galapagos Islands for young readers. It's not easy to present the story of island formation, species colonization and evolution in a picture book, but Chin succeeds admirably, challenging intelligent young readers with sophisticated concepts, but presenting them in a way that will allow readers not only to understand them, but to marvel at them, as well. As in Chin's previous volumes, Redwoods (2009) and Coral Reefs (2011), gorgeous watercolor illustrations lure readers into the scientific story. Chin is careful to point out in his author's note the necessity of speculation and educated guesses, given how far in the past the story takes place. But the work is top-notch narrative nonfiction, based on the best current scientific research. An eye-catching variety of horizontal panels, thumbnails and full-bleed pages makes science visual. Especially effective is the discussion of how species change over time: The finches' beaks become larger, tortoises' shells change shape, and cormorants' wings shrink. In the epilogue, after millions of years of evolution, a ship appears, and a man comes ashore, pen and notebook in hand. It's Charles Darwin, as explained in the backmatter, where his theory of evolution by natural selection is explained and further information on the Galapagos Islands and their indigenous species is presented. Another superb contribution to scientific literature by Chin. (Informational picture book. 8-12)

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Starred review from August 1, 2012

Gr 3-6-Chin combines a bit of storytelling, factual explanations, and large and small paintings to chronicle the "birth" and ongoing development of islands in this far-off ocean cluster. A focus on the evolutionary rise and fall of the islands and skillful arrangement of an especially large number of images distinguish his presentation from the many books on the subject. Animals and plants simultaneously arrive and evolve in the changing terrain as a particular island rises from the ocean, develops over millions of years, and eventually sinks back into the water. The attractive interplay of full- and double-page paintings with pages checkered with numerous small views results in an absorbing, graphic presentation. Chin closes with three single page essays. The first explains the 1835 visit of Charles Darwin to the Galapagos, which spurred his thinking and our later understanding about evolution. This is followed by explanations of how the movement of the Earth's crust engenders the rise and fall of the islands and a look at the endemic species of this region and their varied development from island to island. There are no further sources on the Galapagos or on the animals of the region, but this fine introduction to them will surely stimulate readers' interest.-Margaret Bush, Simmons College, Boston

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2012
Grades 2-4 Combining geology, biology, and history, this is a story spanning six million years. A fictional Galapagos island makes its first appearance as a volcanic mountain erupting above sea level. After more than a million years, the eruptions dwindle. The island supports many plants and animals, and some develop into unique species. Finally, the island slowly shrinks and sinks beneath the water. In a brief, highly visual epilogue, Darwin (identified only in the appended historical notes) visits the Galapagos Islands in 1835. Back matter includes three separate pages of information ( Charles Darwin and the Galapagos, The Galapagos Islands, and Endemic Species of the Galapagos ) but no source bibliography. Handsome full-page paintings, horizontal scenes, and many panels of small, square pictures illustrate the gradual changes in island life and in the animals' physical features (finches' beaks, tortoises' shells) that enable them to survive. While the use of large-print sentences and small, sequential pictures is wonderfully helpful in illustrating concepts such as the island's changing size and shape, the book's combination of a relatively short text and a large, complex subject leaves some points unexplained or open to misinterpretation. Still, this is an ambitious introduction with noteworthy illustrations of land and animals in motion.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)