An important historical personality receives deserved attention in this fine account.
Caroline Herschel’s intellectual curiosity sparkled like the stars that fascinated her.
Born and raised in Hannover, Germany, Caroline Herschel (1750-1848) seemed destined for life as a household drudge; her mother, who cared little about her daughter’s schooling, demanded Caroline do chores, while her four elder brothers were educated by their father. William, Caroline’s favorite brother, eventually moved to England and embarked on a successful music career. He cared deeply about his sister and urged her to come live with him. Their mother refused until William sent money to hire a servant. Caroline moved, and William taught her English, singing, and mathematics. She transcribed music and performed in his concerts. Star-gazing fascinated them both, and they built several brilliantly accurate telescopes and mapped star movements. Caroline easily worked out complicated calculations. The pair made major astronomical discoveries, but William Herschel is enshrined in astronomical history as the discoverer of Uranus. Caroline’s star also shone: She discovered a comet, for which George III awarded her a salary. Thus, Caroline Herschel became the world’s first professional female astronomer. (She discovered several more.) This captivating, well-written biographical picture book spotlights a brilliant, persevering woman who found her true calling in the skies; STEM-inclined readers should find her story especially fascinating and uplifting. Numerous quotes from Caroline Herschel appear throughout. Mildenberger’s paintings are awash in light; dark scenes gleam with stars.
An important historical personality receives deserved attention in this fine account. (more information on Caroline Herschel, glossary and resources, quotations, bibliography) (Picture-book biography. 7-10)Pub Date: March 5, 2024
ISBN: 9781452145433
Page Count: 60
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Review Posted Online: Jan. 5, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2024
Friends of these pollinators will be best served elsewhere.
This book is buzzing with trivia.
Follow a swarm of bees as they leave a beekeeper’s apiary in search of a new home. As the scout bees traverse the fields, readers are provided with a potpourri of facts and statements about bees. The information is scattered—much like the scout bees—and as a result, both the nominal plot and informational content are tissue-thin. There are some interesting facts throughout the book, but many pieces of trivia are too, well trivial, to prove useful. For example, as the bees travel, readers learn that “onion flowers are round and fluffy” and “fennel is a plant that is used in cooking.” Other facts are oversimplified and as a result are not accurate. For example, monofloral honey is defined as “made by bees who visit just one kind of flower” with no acknowledgment of the fact that bees may range widely, and swarm activity is described as a springtime event, when it can also occur in summer and early fall. The information in the book, such as species identification and measurement units, is directed toward British readers. The flat, thin-lined artwork does little to enhance the story, but an “I spy” game challenging readers to find a specific bee throughout is amusing.
Friends of these pollinators will be best served elsewhere. (Informational picture book. 8-10)Pub Date: May 18, 2021
ISBN: 978-0-500-65265-7
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Review Posted Online: April 13, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
An in-depth and visually pleasing look at one of the most fundamental forces in the universe.
An introduction to gravity.
The book opens with the most iconic demonstration of gravity, an apple falling. Throughout, Herz tackles both huge concepts—how gravity compresses atoms to form stars and how black holes pull all kinds of matter toward them—and more concrete ones: how gravity allows you to jump up and then come back down to the ground. Gravity narrates in spare yet lyrical verse, explaining how it creates planets and compresses atoms and comparing itself to a hug. “My embrace is tight enough that you don’t float like a balloon, but loose enough that you can run and leap and play.” Gravity personifies itself at times: “I am stubborn—the bigger things are, the harder I pull.” Beautiful illustrations depict swirling planets and black holes alongside racially diverse children playing, running, and jumping, all thanks to gravity. Thorough backmatter discusses how Sir Isaac Newton discovered gravity and explains Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity. While at times Herz’s explanations may be a bit too technical for some readers, burgeoning scientists will be drawn in.
An in-depth and visually pleasing look at one of the most fundamental forces in the universe. (Informational picture book. 7-9)Pub Date: April 15, 2024
ISBN: 9781668936849
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tilbury House
Review Posted Online: May 4, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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