TITLE: ISLAND: A STORY OF THE GALAPAGOS
AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Jason Chin
PUBLICATION INFO: Roaring Book Press’s Neal Porter Books, 2012
ISBN: 978-1-59643-716-6
SOURCE: Library
INTENDED AUDIENCE: grades 2-4 (Booklist)
GENRE: picture book (nonfiction)
OPENING and SYNOPSIS:
“The sun is rising over a lonely group of islands more than six hundred miles away from the nearest continent.”
Jason Chin, author or REDWOODS and CORAL REEFS, chronicles the “life” of an island from birth six million years ago to old age, when it sinks beneath the sea. During its life, animals come to live on the island and change through natural selection. Chin’s back matter includes pieces about Charles Darwin and the Galapagos Islands.
THEMES/TOPICS: science, natural selection, geography
WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: This was a bit of a departure from the Jason Chin books I’m familiar with. Normally, he offers a fictional storyline “told” through the illustrations, matched with encyclopedic text. Here, he maps an island’s development to a human life cycle. Illustrations depict the story told within the text.
RESOURCES/ACTIVITIES:
- KidsDiscover magazine has a wonderful Galapagos page.
- National Geographic video about the Galapagos.
- Learn about the Galapagos Tortoise through National Geographic Kids.
- Play “Who Wants to Live a Million Years,” a national selection game.
- Teachers Pay Teachers has a variety of natural selection lesson plans. (Fees may apply.)
Every Friday bloggers review “Perfect Picture Books.” Find a complete list of book reviews organized by topic, genre and blogger at author Susanna Leonard Hill’s site.
Kirsten W. Larson 
That sounds like a beautiful vacation in a book, thanks for sharing, Kirsten!
Interestingly, when I was trying to find resources for kids, the subject of taking your kids to the Galapagos kept appearing. Someday!
I didn’t know they let tourists on the island. wouldn’t they be too afraid of humans ruining it? or are there places they don’t let you go? would certainly love to travel here along with you. Will try and find this book to read. Love non fiction picture books. Love your resources, too. 🙂
Clar, I know there are a lot of trips to the Galapagos available. My mother-in-law has been there. I’m not sure about restrictions, but I bet they are trying to protect the unique species.
Yes, I’d hope so. More and more countries are finding their natural resources wasted as they didn’t protect them soon enough. 🙂
I have wanted to visit these islands for a long time because of their flora and fauna. Great discovery, Kristen.
Jason Chin is certainly a unique nonfiction voice. I love reading anything he’s written.
This sounds wonderful, Kirsten! and so interesting! I’ve read Redwoods, and would be very interested to read this one too *adds to her extensive library list* 🙂 Thanks so much for adding this to our list!
I just picked up 13 books off my “extensive library list.”
Kirsten, I love this book! I’m going to have to read it. My kind of book. Great discovery for all of us! Thanks for sharing!
You are welcome, Pat!
I’ve read Redwoods on Marcie’s advice so I bet this is just as good – thanks for posting!
Don’t miss CORAL REEFS.
Okey dokey!
I love the cover! this sounds like a really good book if kids want to learn about the island and have fun doing it.
It’s a very interesting read. It’s a good introduction to natural selection, as well as geology.
This sounds fascinating, Kirsten! I haven’t heard of this author so I’ll keep an eye out. Thanks!
Jason Chin has won many awards. Check out REDWOODS and CORAL REEFS, as well. The juxtaposition of a factual text and fictional illustrations is very interesting.
Certainly sounds interesting. mmm… another place to put on our “to visit” list… Thanks for this Kirstin.
Oh, I’d love to go to the Galapagos. It seems like a science lab on an island. Darwin definitely found something special there.
I like the cover! Pretty. The subject (the “life” of an island) is very interesting. I want to read this! 🙂
It’s a wonderful introduction to natural selection/evolution.
Wonderful resources! I think there’s a new Darwin picture book out as well that might be a fun read. Always wanted to go there….bucket list!
Oh, that sounds fun! I read CHARLES AND EMMA (YA) and highly recommend it.
This looks like a beautiful book! I’m not familiar with Mr Chin. I’ll have to check it out! Thanks for sharing!