The Most Brilliant, Boldly Going Book of Exploration Ever...by the Brainwaves

September 1, 2010

Gr 4-6-If Waldo, of striped shirt and concealed fame, had been set loose into the history of global exploration, this book would be the result. Each spread-covering one era, continent, route, or explorer-explodes from the page in riotous, cartoonish joy. The Brainwaves, small humanoids, flit among the illustrations, serving up puns and other goofy jokes. The detail in the drawings ensures that re-readings will uncover new treasures. Beneath the overwhelming wackiness, the material is impressively comprehensive: each continent is discussed, as well as outer space, the oceans' depths, and other arenas subject to humankind's further examination. For those unaccustomed to a graphic free-for-all, it can be difficult to decipher the proper order for each spread's generous offering of text snippets; the time line of major events in the back of the book, including the named eras in which they occurred, helps clear up many chronological questions. Marc Aronson and John W. Glenn's The World Made New (National Geographic, 2007) covers much of the same ground, but in a more academic and research-friendly manner. Still, with its well-conceived table of contents and a vast glossary and index, children with specific questions will find the answers they seek in Chrisp's title.-Rebecca Dash, New York Public Library

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