ISLANDS

Visits to more than 18 islands and island groups.

With the intent of highlighting different types of islands, Lerwill jumps in no particular order from Australia’s Fraser Island (made of sand) to the Île de la Cité on Paris’ Seine, from the volcanic likes of Surtsey and Santorini to the wholly artificial Palm Jumeirah in the United Arab Emirates and the floating reed islands of the Uros on Lake Titicaca. His scattered observations about distinctive flora, fauna, and features at each stop often take a touristic slant—“People from around the world come to Easter Island to see the moai, but the statues are just one reason to come here”—which accords well with the illustrator’s postcard-style views of foreshortened landforms seen from high angles and decorated with stylized structures and wildlife. Younger naturalists may prefer closer glimpses like Jason Chin’s dazzling Island (2012) or broader ones such as Sabrina Weiss’ Amazing Islands (2020). Still, references to, for instance, the ways in which people on Gomera Island communicate by whistling or the mouthwatering Santorini snacks called tomatokeftedes offer armchair travelers at least a hint of the rewards of island hopping. Human figures are rare and too tiny to see clearly here. A world map with additional facts and a list of other islands to explore serve as backmatter. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

Not essential, but a quick and lightweight introduction to the topic.