Etty Darwin and the Four Pebble Problem

April 1, 2021
A flight of scientific fancy. As the daughter of world-renowned scientist Charles Darwin, young Henrietta "Etty" Darwin learned to question the world around her even as she wrote fairy stories on the backs of his manuscripts. This distinctive selection, presented in a modified graphic-panel format, shows the daughter and father (and their dog) as they embark on a "thinking path" called The Sandwalk--a well-trod trail that Darwin and his family wandered while pondering ideas--and the two have a discussion (imagined by the author) about the existence of fairies and the problem of evidence. Dialogue bubbles furnish the questions and answers while poetic, descriptive narrative sentences provide just the right amount of context, and together they offer up a pair of believable, inquisitive characters, warm and sweet without the faintest whiff of sentimentality. Lush, layered illustrations give a sense of the Victorian era while they capture a realistic natural landscape with forays into fantasy, Etty always at its center; a spread featuring yellow butterflies is particularly dazzling. Etty's heavy brows and quizzical expressions show a girl unconcerned with looking pretty, deep in thought and an intrinsic part of the flora and fauna that surround both her father and herself. The two White characters are joined by Polly the dog, a detail sure to appeal. An excellent introduction to the natural sciences, Darwin, fairies, and inquiry, sure to inspire and fascinate young readers and listeners. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-19-inch double-page spreads viewed at 55.9% of actual size.) Scientific investigation meets magic in this glowing selection. (author's note) (Picture book. 4-8)

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April 15, 2021
Grades K-2 At the Darwin household, any family member is welcome to use the Sandwalk, a path that loops around the property, installed for leisurely strolls to work out perplexing problems. This story peeks in on one such excursion, as young Etty joins her famous father, Charles, on his daily constitutional. Etty wishes to discuss a pressing issue: is it possible that fairies exist? Charles carefully considers the matter. Round and round the path they go, Etty's original line of inquiry leading to more questions and an occasional intriguing conclusion. While the chat is fictional, an endnote reveals that the path and family walks were real and an older Etty became an invaluable assistant in Charles' work. The fictionalized pair have a wonderful rapport, and Charles never dismisses questions, instead gently pressing his daughter to consider matters more fully. The soft, lush illustrations, intimate and welcoming, are occasionally broken up into boxes to better accommodate conversations. A sweet snapshot of familial friendship, scientific inquiry, and the magic that exists in the natural world.

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