Alexander von Humboldt: Explorer, Naturalist & Environmental Pioneer

by Danica Novgorodoff

Overview

Budding botanists, growing geologists, and early explorers will dive into this picture book biography about the father of ecology, Alexander von Humboldt. The captivating prose and art from a New York Times bestselling illustrator will spark a passion for discovery and conservation in the youngest readers.

Whether sailing across the ocean, hiking through the jungle, or climbing the highest volcanic peaks, everywhere Alexander went, he observed the land, animals, and culture. And where others saw differences, Alexander spotted connections.
 
Discover the incredible life of naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, whose explorations created the basis for modern ecology, whose travels made him one of the most famous scientists of his day, and whose curiosities have inspired generations of creative thinkers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781524773106
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	02/22/2022
Sold by:	Random House
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
Lexile:	760L (what's this?)
File size:	17 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Danica Novgorodoff makes art and writes stories. Her graphic novels include Slow Storm, The Undertaking of Lily Chen, Refresh Refresh, and Long Way Down written by Jason Reynolds. Danica loves learning the names of plants, climbing mountains, and drawing animals. She first became interested in Alexander von Humboldt while living in Ecuador near the Cotopaxi volcano. She found herself falling in love with the same landscapes that Alexander had explored so many years before. Danica lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her family. You can find her online at danicanovgorodoff.com.

Editorial Reviews

01/17/2022

In lightly worked pencil and watercolor spreads, Novgorodoff presents Alexander von Humboldt (1769–1859) as a German child who baffles his parents and tutors with his predilection for wandering alone. Harboring an interest in exploration, von Humboldt “studied everything from mold to meteors” before eventually sailing to South America. There, a sketchbook sequence describes his initial thoughts as he encounters animals (“These creatures are so different!”), then, upon reflection, realizes that they occupy similar niches as the creatures he already knows: “The hawks were sharp-eyed, the lizards had eighteen toes, and the large cats were spotted.” As he learns more about the geography of the continent, he comes to believe that everything—the plants, the animals, their placement on the land—is interrelated, formerly articulating that “habitats all over the world are connected.” Though an author’s note and back matter contextualize the figure’s beliefs and Eurocentricity, some of the picture book’s text nevertheless centers the white explorer’s “discoveries” and opinions over those of Indigenous peoples in this detailed description of one person’s observations about the natural world. Ages 4–8. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

★ "An engaging text, illustrated with pleasing pencil drawings and vivid watercolor washes. A memorable introduction to Humboldt." —Booklist, starred review

"Science and nature fans alike will dig into this biography with wonder and awe as they learn about a real-life naturalist." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

04/08/2022

Gr 1–4—A biography that young readers and those with burning questions about the world will be sure to enjoy of a lesser-known scientist and explorer, Alexander von Humboldt. As a child in Germany, Humboldt's fascination for creatures grows into a lifelong crusade to see the world. Though not encouraged by the adults around him, von Humboldt learns that being different and curious is just the way he was meant to be—a fine lesson for any young reader struggling to fit in. He appreciates everything outdoors, from the birds and volcanoes, to the Indigenous people of the Amazon, and the interconnection of everything to everything else. After a relatively straightforward rendition of a fairly colorful life story, the book also features a helpful time line to further educate those who want to know more about von Humboldt's family, his accomplishments, and his death. While his story is a beautiful one accompanied by intricate watercolor illustrations, some of the vocabulary may be a little too advanced for primary readers with words such as "solitude" and "vegetation" as well as place names such as Pichincha. However, this will serve as a fine read-aloud for older students in a library setting or as a biography for independent readers at the elementary level. VERDICT Science and nature fans alike will dig into this biography with wonder and awe as they learn about a real-life naturalist.—Kerra Mazzariello

School Library Journal