One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin (by Kathryn Lasky)

This is truly an extraordinary book about an extraordinary man. Darwin's story is intriguing and amazing in itself. Here it's presented in writing that kids will find inviting in its straightforward simplicity yet lively expressive tone. The accompanying artwork, which is both beautifully layered and complex, makes it all the more captivating. Kathryn Latsky's writing presents this amazing story in a way that is both approachable and complete. Together, they celebrate not only Darwin's exploration of ideas about the world he saw, but also, as the author hopes in her dedication, "children, whose boundless curiosity gives them a right to know their history on Earth."

The artwork is equally extraordinary. Done in several layers, each illustration truly captures the intrigue and mystery of the natural world. Trueman began each one with a sensitive ink and watercolor drawing, added to it first with gouache and colored pencil, then a layer of acrylic painting. Finally, after a bit more graphite and colored pencil, he added subtle touches of paper, string, weeds, wildflowers, and other collage elements he gathered in the world around him. Amazing! The result is a book that is the perfect celebration of Darwin's bicentennial anniversary, and one that all readers, especially the naturalists, certainly will treasure.