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Candlewick Biographies
One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin
"Lasky's text balances the exuberant artwork with well-organized information, gracefully sprinkling in quotes from Darwin's own writing." - School Library Journal (starred review)
In a clear, engaging narrative, Kathryn Lasky takes readers along on Darwin's journey. Matthew Trueman's striking illustrations include actual objects found in nature, enhancing this compelling look at the man behind the bold theory that would change the way we think about the world- and ourselves.
In a clear, engaging narrative, Kathryn Lasky takes readers along on Darwin's journey. Matthew Trueman's striking illustrations include actual objects found in nature, enhancing this compelling look at the man behind the bold theory that would change the way we think about the world- and ourselves.
48 pages, Paperback
First published May 13, 2006
5 people are currently reading
373 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Lasky
263 books2,303 followersKathryn Lasky, also known as Kathryn Lasky Knight and E. L. Swann, is an award-winning American author of over one hundred books for children and adults. Best known for the Guardians of Ga’Hoole series, her work has been translated into 19 languages and includes historical fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
January 16, 2019
This is a great book about the life and times of Charles Darwin from his childhood up until the time he publishes ‘the Origin of Species’. It is a very dense book for kids. There is one side with a picture and the other side has a page full of text. It’s a 20 minute read. I tried with this book with the kids, but it is simply too long. The nephew dropped out. The niece did hang in and it took us 3 nights to finish. She has a bit of naturalist tendencies herself. She gave it 3 stars. She enjoyed it, but said it was too long.
This is a great introduction to Charles and his life. I didn’t know his history. I have wanted to read the ‘origin of species’ for a decade now, but it remains low on my list. Someday after I read many other books. I am interested and I have a friend who read it and said it was a great book.
Darwin was simply a person who loved the world and to observe the world. He didn’t have to try and do this, it was all he wanted to do. His father pushed him to do other things and he hated them all. Observing the world was who he was and he was very good at it. He observed everything. He is quite an amazing person.
This is a lovely book and if your kids can sit still, it could be a great read for them. I would skip it if you have wiggly kids.
This is a great introduction to Charles and his life. I didn’t know his history. I have wanted to read the ‘origin of species’ for a decade now, but it remains low on my list. Someday after I read many other books. I am interested and I have a friend who read it and said it was a great book.
Darwin was simply a person who loved the world and to observe the world. He didn’t have to try and do this, it was all he wanted to do. His father pushed him to do other things and he hated them all. Observing the world was who he was and he was very good at it. He observed everything. He is quite an amazing person.
This is a lovely book and if your kids can sit still, it could be a great read for them. I would skip it if you have wiggly kids.
July 25, 2018
While Kathryn Lasky's One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin is of course not a comprehensive and all encompassing biography of Charles Darwin (but rather a short and concise picture book format analysis and interpretation of his life and times, primarily geared towards older children from about the age of nine onwards), it is most definitely more than thorough enough to adequately and indeed also with a lively and readable, approachable narrative cover and examine Darwin's life and his oh so important contributions to science and the history of science (with the author's text of course and naturally focussing in particular on Charles Darwin's voyages employed as chief naturalist on the H.M.S. Beagle and how his travels, how the many different species of animals, as well as the different landscapes and geologic features Darwin saw and encountered whilst on his journeys helped to both jump start and later firmly cement into place his theory of evolution, and that the earth was thus and indeed not just thousands of years but millions upon millions of years old, with the majority of changes happening slowly, evolving over long periods of time and that the earth, including us humans, was therefore also not created in one short seven day stretch as is related in the Old Testament of the Bible).
And truly, One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin is in my humble opinion not only a great but also a very much balanced introduction to Darwin and his theory of evolution, showing both Darwin's life and the many critcisms and struggles he encountered with regard to his findings, musings and resulting theories (both from his nearest and dearest, from his family, and of course and I guess naturally, also from the establishment, and that his theories were attacked and often severely and lastingly so by not only the clergy but also by many scientists of Darwin's era). But appreciably and for me personally very much laudable, Kathryn Lasky also always strives to point out that while Charles Darwin did not consider the Bible as infallible and thus also did not consider the creation story as related in Genesis as in any manner true and believable, he also ALWAYS did believe in God as the creator and that his theory of evolution actually is thus a decidedly deistic type of consideration, with God providing the spark so to speak and then evolution kicking in with life etc. changing slowly and according to natural selection over long time frames (and considering that I myself am very much a deistic evolutionist, I have most certainly heartily appreciated reading about and realising in One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin that the so-called father of evolution, that Charles Darwin himself, obviously also was a strong believer in deism and that while many staunch creationists might indeed claim that Charles Darwin was an atheist, he obviously was NOT that by any stretch of the imaginatiom, for while he might have with justification questioned the Bible's veracity and even the divinity of Jesus Christ, Charles Darwin never ever did question or deny the concept of there being a creator, of there being a supreme deity.
Now with regard to Matthew Truman's accompanying illustrations, while I have found them expressive and at times even rather fun, personally, I do find especially the often caricature like human figures a trifle too unserious for my own personal amd aesthetic tastes (and with that I mean to say that while I do like and enjoy Trueman's pictures, I am actually really neither all that much impressed nor am I unimpressed, that they do provide a decent accompaniment to and for Kathryn Lasky's narrative, but that to and for me, One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin does not really even require illustrations and that if truth be told, the illustrations and especially the at times a bit exaggerated facial features of the humans depicted kind of feel a bit potentially visually distracting to me). Four stars for One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin (and highly recommended), with the inclusion of the short but detailed bibliography at the back being the absolute icing on the cake for me (and while an accompanying bibliography really should be totally expected and a basic requirement in and for a completely non fiction biography on Charles Darwin, the fact that there so often is a lack of such for me oh so academically necessary inclusions in especially non fiction books geared to children, this indeed does make me appreciate that Kathryn Lasky has included a detailed and informative bibliography all the more).
And truly, One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin is in my humble opinion not only a great but also a very much balanced introduction to Darwin and his theory of evolution, showing both Darwin's life and the many critcisms and struggles he encountered with regard to his findings, musings and resulting theories (both from his nearest and dearest, from his family, and of course and I guess naturally, also from the establishment, and that his theories were attacked and often severely and lastingly so by not only the clergy but also by many scientists of Darwin's era). But appreciably and for me personally very much laudable, Kathryn Lasky also always strives to point out that while Charles Darwin did not consider the Bible as infallible and thus also did not consider the creation story as related in Genesis as in any manner true and believable, he also ALWAYS did believe in God as the creator and that his theory of evolution actually is thus a decidedly deistic type of consideration, with God providing the spark so to speak and then evolution kicking in with life etc. changing slowly and according to natural selection over long time frames (and considering that I myself am very much a deistic evolutionist, I have most certainly heartily appreciated reading about and realising in One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin that the so-called father of evolution, that Charles Darwin himself, obviously also was a strong believer in deism and that while many staunch creationists might indeed claim that Charles Darwin was an atheist, he obviously was NOT that by any stretch of the imaginatiom, for while he might have with justification questioned the Bible's veracity and even the divinity of Jesus Christ, Charles Darwin never ever did question or deny the concept of there being a creator, of there being a supreme deity.
Now with regard to Matthew Truman's accompanying illustrations, while I have found them expressive and at times even rather fun, personally, I do find especially the often caricature like human figures a trifle too unserious for my own personal amd aesthetic tastes (and with that I mean to say that while I do like and enjoy Trueman's pictures, I am actually really neither all that much impressed nor am I unimpressed, that they do provide a decent accompaniment to and for Kathryn Lasky's narrative, but that to and for me, One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin does not really even require illustrations and that if truth be told, the illustrations and especially the at times a bit exaggerated facial features of the humans depicted kind of feel a bit potentially visually distracting to me). Four stars for One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin (and highly recommended), with the inclusion of the short but detailed bibliography at the back being the absolute icing on the cake for me (and while an accompanying bibliography really should be totally expected and a basic requirement in and for a completely non fiction biography on Charles Darwin, the fact that there so often is a lack of such for me oh so academically necessary inclusions in especially non fiction books geared to children, this indeed does make me appreciate that Kathryn Lasky has included a detailed and informative bibliography all the more).
May 7, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed Lasky's picture book biography regarding Charles Darwin's life although the illustration style was not my favorite--I enjoyed them, but in some cases I didn't feel they really fit with the story in either feeling or depicting the described event(s). I felt that the illustrations were more suited for a younger picture book audience, whereas the text (in both style and length) suggested something more for the upper age range on picture books.
Still, as for the story itself, I feel Lasky did a good job of condensing Darwin's life into the brevity of a picture book without sacrificing style or substance. While certainly not comprehensive, it none the less covers his boyhood through his older years, with focus primarily on his exploration on the Beagle. Little details, such as Darwin being seasick and having to eat only raisins, or how he once tried to train earthworms, make Darwin feel like a real, interesting person--not some dusty figure from the past.
What I perhaps appreciated most about this particular biography is how Lasky deftly handled the "science vs. religion" aspect. On the Beagle, Captain Fitzroy provides the voice for the Christian perspective, as he was devoted to both the Bible and to science, though perhaps his temper made him seem a less than sympathetic individual at times--and even Darwin's own wife worried that her husband was losing his faith in God. While Darwin's disbelief in the Bible as absolute truth, and in Jesus Christ as the Savior, has continued to trouble Christians even to this day, Darwin felt that his theories about evolution did not disprove God and that, if species could change over time, who else but God could make such marvelous things happen? It seems this aspect of Darwin's character is often ignored by the overarching "science vs. God" arguments and I am glad it is included here.
All in all, this is a fine if incomplete portrait of a complex, remarkably intelligent individual, husband and father who became (in his words), "A complete millionaire in odd and curious facts."
Still, as for the story itself, I feel Lasky did a good job of condensing Darwin's life into the brevity of a picture book without sacrificing style or substance. While certainly not comprehensive, it none the less covers his boyhood through his older years, with focus primarily on his exploration on the Beagle. Little details, such as Darwin being seasick and having to eat only raisins, or how he once tried to train earthworms, make Darwin feel like a real, interesting person--not some dusty figure from the past.
What I perhaps appreciated most about this particular biography is how Lasky deftly handled the "science vs. religion" aspect. On the Beagle, Captain Fitzroy provides the voice for the Christian perspective, as he was devoted to both the Bible and to science, though perhaps his temper made him seem a less than sympathetic individual at times--and even Darwin's own wife worried that her husband was losing his faith in God. While Darwin's disbelief in the Bible as absolute truth, and in Jesus Christ as the Savior, has continued to trouble Christians even to this day, Darwin felt that his theories about evolution did not disprove God and that, if species could change over time, who else but God could make such marvelous things happen? It seems this aspect of Darwin's character is often ignored by the overarching "science vs. God" arguments and I am glad it is included here.
All in all, this is a fine if incomplete portrait of a complex, remarkably intelligent individual, husband and father who became (in his words), "A complete millionaire in odd and curious facts."
June 8, 2012
Ah, the title. Ha! Yuck! The reader finds out quickly why the title for this book is as it is.
This is a really superb book. It’s text heavy, although the illustrations are marvelous, and for older children, I’d say 9 (maybe 8) to 12 and up, all the way up.
This is an excellent biography of Charles Darwin. I knew quite a bit about his research and philosophy and his years on the Beagle, but not that much about what came before and after, so I learned a lot.
I appreciated how this book encompasses Darwin’s life, and nature, science, philosophy, religion, history, so much.
The illustrations, mixed-media collages, contain actual bits of natural materials, and they’re just wonderful. As is true with many picture books, I was less than enthusiastic about the portrayal of human faces, but I got used to those, and I ended up enjoying all the (very creative) illustrations.
This is an excellent introduction to many subjects and could be a great springboard for discussion about evolution, evolution and religion, natural history, scientific research, and, of course, Darwin’s life and times. This is a good first book for learning about and discussing all these subjects.
If Darwin was working today, I’m sure animal rights activists would be up in arms.
4 ½ stars
This is a really superb book. It’s text heavy, although the illustrations are marvelous, and for older children, I’d say 9 (maybe 8) to 12 and up, all the way up.
This is an excellent biography of Charles Darwin. I knew quite a bit about his research and philosophy and his years on the Beagle, but not that much about what came before and after, so I learned a lot.
I appreciated how this book encompasses Darwin’s life, and nature, science, philosophy, religion, history, so much.
The illustrations, mixed-media collages, contain actual bits of natural materials, and they’re just wonderful. As is true with many picture books, I was less than enthusiastic about the portrayal of human faces, but I got used to those, and I ended up enjoying all the (very creative) illustrations.
This is an excellent introduction to many subjects and could be a great springboard for discussion about evolution, evolution and religion, natural history, scientific research, and, of course, Darwin’s life and times. This is a good first book for learning about and discussing all these subjects.
If Darwin was working today, I’m sure animal rights activists would be up in arms.
4 ½ stars
September 12, 2018
This is a comprehensive look at the life of Charles Darwin. The narrative is quite lengthy, but informative and interesting and the illustrations are wonderful.
We really enjoyed learning about this famous naturalist and we read the book all at once, although I probably should've broken it up into at least two readings as I started to lose our girls' interest toward the end. I think we all learned a lot by reading this book.
This book was selected as one of the books for the August 2018 - Charles Darwin discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
new word: cordillera
We really enjoyed learning about this famous naturalist and we read the book all at once, although I probably should've broken it up into at least two readings as I started to lose our girls' interest toward the end. I think we all learned a lot by reading this book.
This book was selected as one of the books for the August 2018 - Charles Darwin discussion at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
new word: cordillera
July 4, 2011
This is a book that I've been intending to read for quite a while and just haven't gotten around to. Now that I have though, I am pleased to share that I really enjoyed it. It was well written, using a couple of different literary devices that I'd like to revisit in the future including excellent use of items in a series. I think I counted that one three different times in here.
Also, it was a great biography on Darwin and filled in some details that make him, if nothing else, a more colorful, vibrant man. I would love to share it with children though I think that the length would prevent it from being a simple read-aloud. Even though it's got all the making of a good boy book with its blood and grossness in all the right places, I can't picture an elementary age child persevering through it without some ulterior motive like a school assignment to push them through.
I enjoyed it though. It was a well done biography.
Also, it was a great biography on Darwin and filled in some details that make him, if nothing else, a more colorful, vibrant man. I would love to share it with children though I think that the length would prevent it from being a simple read-aloud. Even though it's got all the making of a good boy book with its blood and grossness in all the right places, I can't picture an elementary age child persevering through it without some ulterior motive like a school assignment to push them through.
I enjoyed it though. It was a well done biography.
January 26, 2009
I completely enjoyed this book. I am a sucker for picture book biographies, and this one was very well done. plus, while it was heavy enough in text to be a short chapter book, Candlewick was wise enough to make it a large picture book and it has brilliant illustrations. Can we be looking at next year's Caldecott or Sibert award?
August 5, 2018
A great book. Good intro to the man, his times, his work, and public's ongoing discomfort with his ideas. Good bibliography/further reading. Lively illustrations, engaging text. For anyone who understands the shape of the globe, I think... not for the youngest who just can't yet grasp the difference between countries and continents, or thousands vs. millions of years.
April 13, 2009
This seems like a Caldecott contender because the illustrations so perfectly convey Darwin's curiosity and love of all things in the natural world. Read this and you will be outside collecting beetles, drawing birds and examining every plant!
April 14, 2009
I just started this book. Although it's a picture book, the text is pretty involved, which I don't mind at all. The illustrations are fun and the information is accurate and interesting. Can't wait to read it to the kids.
One thing occurs to me over and over as I've been reading about Darwin this past year. It is encased in a principle that I recently read in a book (can't recall which one!!). It was something to the effect of back some time ago, the people of Europe believed that there were only white swans in the world. They couldn't imagine anything else. It wasn't until Australia was explored and black swans were discovered that people believed otherwise.
As I'm now reading about Darwin's younger years, his study to be a clergyman and the line upon line discoveries he made and thought about and processed, I think it fits the above mold to a T.
It takes people a while to accept new ideas. That's just plain true. I just wish certain people wouldn't write books like "Ten Books that Screwed up the World" and include Darwin in them. I wish I could be around in another 150 years to see how things have changed in this arena.
Update: Read this book to the kids last night and we loved it. I liked how the book highlighted Darwin's discoveries in South America plus his Galapagos finds. One idea in this book contrasted with an article I read in National Geographic (February issue). That article talked about how the South American discoveries were actually the basis of Darwin's ideas and later theory. The finches were further data that supported his previous fossil finds. "One Beetle Too Many" highlights the Galapagos finches as the basis of his ideas (as do many writings and books). I think the National Geographic article sounds closer to the truth.
The illustrations are great and the story, though long, kept my children's interest. I'd like to own it.
One thing occurs to me over and over as I've been reading about Darwin this past year. It is encased in a principle that I recently read in a book (can't recall which one!!). It was something to the effect of back some time ago, the people of Europe believed that there were only white swans in the world. They couldn't imagine anything else. It wasn't until Australia was explored and black swans were discovered that people believed otherwise.
As I'm now reading about Darwin's younger years, his study to be a clergyman and the line upon line discoveries he made and thought about and processed, I think it fits the above mold to a T.
It takes people a while to accept new ideas. That's just plain true. I just wish certain people wouldn't write books like "Ten Books that Screwed up the World" and include Darwin in them. I wish I could be around in another 150 years to see how things have changed in this arena.
Update: Read this book to the kids last night and we loved it. I liked how the book highlighted Darwin's discoveries in South America plus his Galapagos finds. One idea in this book contrasted with an article I read in National Geographic (February issue). That article talked about how the South American discoveries were actually the basis of Darwin's ideas and later theory. The finches were further data that supported his previous fossil finds. "One Beetle Too Many" highlights the Galapagos finches as the basis of his ideas (as do many writings and books). I think the National Geographic article sounds closer to the truth.
The illustrations are great and the story, though long, kept my children's interest. I'd like to own it.
Read
December 6, 2012Lasky, Kathryn . (2009). One Beetle Too Many: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin. New York: Candlewick. 368 pp. ISBN 978-0-7636-1436-2 (Hardcover); $17.99.
Charles Darwin collects beetles in his mouth when his hands are filled with other critters. From these beetle collections, Darwin gathers evidence for his growing ideas about how animals change—ideas that will soon scare the whole world. This picture book biography is not for the student who craves the detail-laden approach characterized by Heiligman’s excellent biography. However, for younger students seeking an introduction to an important scientist, for middle school students looking for a brief introduction, for anyone who appreciates lush, detail-laden art that matches Darwin’s interests; this is the book to purchase. Beginning with the striking cover, Matthew Trueman, the illustrator, captures the beetles, the beaks of finches, the earthworms, and other interests of Darwin. He even depicts Darwin’s nose accurately, which Darwin scholars know caused Darwin many moments of self-doubt as well as almost getting him booted off the Beagle before it even set sail. Younger students will get a kick out of the fact that Darwin’s father does not appreciate Darwin’s approach to school work and sends him to study for the clergy when it is clear that he is not a very good student. Many adult biographies exist for those wishing information about Darwin, this is one of several fine books for younger students as we celebrate 150 years of Darwin’s controversial theory on the origin of species!
Charles Darwin collects beetles in his mouth when his hands are filled with other critters. From these beetle collections, Darwin gathers evidence for his growing ideas about how animals change—ideas that will soon scare the whole world. This picture book biography is not for the student who craves the detail-laden approach characterized by Heiligman’s excellent biography. However, for younger students seeking an introduction to an important scientist, for middle school students looking for a brief introduction, for anyone who appreciates lush, detail-laden art that matches Darwin’s interests; this is the book to purchase. Beginning with the striking cover, Matthew Trueman, the illustrator, captures the beetles, the beaks of finches, the earthworms, and other interests of Darwin. He even depicts Darwin’s nose accurately, which Darwin scholars know caused Darwin many moments of self-doubt as well as almost getting him booted off the Beagle before it even set sail. Younger students will get a kick out of the fact that Darwin’s father does not appreciate Darwin’s approach to school work and sends him to study for the clergy when it is clear that he is not a very good student. Many adult biographies exist for those wishing information about Darwin, this is one of several fine books for younger students as we celebrate 150 years of Darwin’s controversial theory on the origin of species!
November 14, 2015
In reading this story, it became very obvious to me that this was not a picture book for elementary students. However, it was a very fascinating story and I couldn’t put the book down. This story told the life of Charles Darwin from his early years. It was a very good book explaining the challenges Charles faced with wanting to obey his father’s wishes but struggling because he had his own desires. Charles didn’t fit into any mold that his father was putting him in and his father thought of his as a disgrace. However, this all changes when Charles was chosen to go on a five year long journey to study animals. And from this voyage Charles Darwin’s book Origin of Species was written and his Theory of Evolution was known.
I can see using this book in older grades as a great start to researching the life of Charles Darwin and understanding of his Theory of Evolution. I think it would be interesting to try and look at a variety of finches and see all their different characteristics and features as was mentioned in this book. From a younger kid’s perspective, this story is very long and I think it would lose their attention. I would recommend reading a “chapter” a day and then piecing it all together in a time line or something like that.
I can see using this book in older grades as a great start to researching the life of Charles Darwin and understanding of his Theory of Evolution. I think it would be interesting to try and look at a variety of finches and see all their different characteristics and features as was mentioned in this book. From a younger kid’s perspective, this story is very long and I think it would lose their attention. I would recommend reading a “chapter” a day and then piecing it all together in a time line or something like that.
January 16, 2019
With appealing, hypnotic artistry this book's tedious length becomes an engaging journey. Though I don't agree with every one of Darwin's conclusions, he and his life journey are fascinating to me and this books detailing lends to great parent-child discussions about science and religion--the important ways in which they can complement each other in our quest for truth, and the confusion that can ensue when either one tries to stand in blind solitude. I didn't feel like this book had any other agenda than to enlighten the reader about a man, his adventures and his self-proclaimed "discoveries", and since I am interested in all three of those things, I appreciated the authors' efforts. As a Christian who is intrigued with Darwin, the man--and the scientist, I have studied him enough to know that his internal, religious struggles were extensive and powerful and those aspects are not much addressed here, but that seems due more to a focus on the adventurous side of his life, instead of a full biography, as his poor health is also glazed over and the loss of his children is never even mentioned. A remarkable author/illustrator pairing; a captivating book.
October 25, 2009
Charles Darwin was a child who was allowed to explore and he grew up, despite his terrible conflicts with schools, to be a man who explored the world of nature.
Lasky, as she has done in every book, writes the story of Darwin's life brilliantly. Darwin feels as round and human as any fictional character. He comes across as both a student easily bored and a thoughtful observer.
The pictures make Darwin feel even more real, smart yet bumbling.
I loved the richness of the writing and the fun of the pictures. A bibliography is included at the end.
A sample:
“He was told it was something no clergyman should do. That it was a wild scheme. That the boat was unsafe. That the voyage would be useless. That this was a most unsuitable occupation and would ruin his character. And if all that were not enough, he would surely get horribly seasick and furthermore the natives would probably eat him. In spite of all these objections from his father and sisters and aunts and uncles, Charles still wanted to go.”
Lasky, as she has done in every book, writes the story of Darwin's life brilliantly. Darwin feels as round and human as any fictional character. He comes across as both a student easily bored and a thoughtful observer.
The pictures make Darwin feel even more real, smart yet bumbling.
I loved the richness of the writing and the fun of the pictures. A bibliography is included at the end.
A sample:
“He was told it was something no clergyman should do. That it was a wild scheme. That the boat was unsafe. That the voyage would be useless. That this was a most unsuitable occupation and would ruin his character. And if all that were not enough, he would surely get horribly seasick and furthermore the natives would probably eat him. In spite of all these objections from his father and sisters and aunts and uncles, Charles still wanted to go.”
August 2, 2018
Lasky's narrative portrays the life of a young man whose future would see him a clergyman--if his father had anything to do with it. Who would have suspected that Charles Darwin was an unwilling student whose lack of achievement in the classroom caused him to fail at his father's first career choice for him, law? The book proves that it was not a lack of skill or intellect that caused Darwin's failure, but a lack of interest in the careers others chose for him. His great love was science and only an invitation to a scientific voyage kept him from serving out his time in a village parish.
As interestingly as Lasky tells the tale of Darwin's famous voyage, it is the illustrations that caught my attention. The wonderful collages that contain pressed flowers and leaves should not be overlooked by the reader.
I read this book purposely after finishing The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate in which each chapter is introduced by a Darwin quote.
As interestingly as Lasky tells the tale of Darwin's famous voyage, it is the illustrations that caught my attention. The wonderful collages that contain pressed flowers and leaves should not be overlooked by the reader.
I read this book purposely after finishing The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate in which each chapter is introduced by a Darwin quote.
February 14, 2016
The subtitle of this picture book biography is: The Extraordinary Adventures of Charles Darwin. I learned new things in this delightful introduction to Darwin's life, like the fact that he was a very poor student.
My favourite anecdote came from late in his life, when in a letter to one of Darwin's adult sons, Darwin's wife Emma wrote: "Father has taken to training earthworms but does not make progress as they can neither see nor hear." The worms in my indoor compost box will not take part in any similar experiments, as I cannot fathom how I would even begin to train them, but the book is inspiring nonetheless.
For reading aloud or for independent readers in K through Grade 6. Children will be entertained by the lively text as well as the amusing artwork by Matthew Trueman.
My favourite anecdote came from late in his life, when in a letter to one of Darwin's adult sons, Darwin's wife Emma wrote: "Father has taken to training earthworms but does not make progress as they can neither see nor hear." The worms in my indoor compost box will not take part in any similar experiments, as I cannot fathom how I would even begin to train them, but the book is inspiring nonetheless.
For reading aloud or for independent readers in K through Grade 6. Children will be entertained by the lively text as well as the amusing artwork by Matthew Trueman.
August 11, 2014
Young readers will be intrigued by the young Charles Darwin's struggles to find himself and identify a satisfying career amid his father's expectations that he become a clergyman. Once he is hired as a naturalist aboard the Beagle, the book becomes even more of an adventure story as he travels and collects samples and specimens everywhere the ship goes. The writing is engaging and draws readers into the story, making Darwin sound like someone they'd like to know. Once he returns home to England, he examines all his collected objects and starts asking some important but disturbing questions. The mixed media collages feature various plants as well as interesting images of the great naturalist and the worlds he explored.
May 25, 2010
Great kids book about Darwin's life and accomplishments. It gets its title from a day in Darwin's childhood where he came across three beetles he'd never seen before, so he grabbed one in each hand but needed somewhere for the third, so he popped it in his mouth. Really cute story. The illustrations are very pretty and the author did a good job of not dumbing it down too much.
November 26, 2018
Really interesting and engaging introduction to Darwin and his explorations and this theories. Wonderful text and illustrations.
February 19, 2014
The full-page illustrations with leaf and plant clippings in One Beetle Too Many are fantastic. Kathryn Lasky's prose is clear and easy enough to understand for children of the appropriate age. (Be warned, however, that there is a decent amount of text in this book, so it should be for older children). I like that the book breathes life into Darwin so that he seems like a human being rather than just another name kids might have to memorize. Kathryn Lasky inserts some cheeky sentences, such as that "Darwin unwittingly ate his way through many of the most important animal specimens" (likely true, especially because he was apparently really into eating, and even part of the "Glutton Club" at university), and that he "preferred to record rather than punish" his kids' bad behavior since he had scientific curiosity about what drove mischief. Darwin's adventures on the Beagle show kids that they can go on real-life adventures, and that curiosity and creativity, mixed with intellect can achieve great, and fun, things.
July 1, 2009
In One Beetle Too Many Lasky tells the story of Charles Darwin and his quest to learn more about the natural world. We learn of Darwin's childhood and his father's concern over his nonconformity. Charles did not do well in school and preferred to be with the bugs rather than the books. As readers, we follow his life aboard The Beagle, home to England and end with the publication of The Origin of Species. Lasky's tellings of specific anecdotes, along with the humorous pictures that accompany the text, create an interesting story for the reader. A child can easily empathize with only eating raisins or Darwin allowing his own children "the run of the house." This book is perfect for introducing Charles Darwin and his adventures to young readers and beyond.
August 28, 2012
This is a cute picture book about a child with endless curiosity about everything around him. Charles Darwin wasn't ever done learning. I would have loved to see inside his home where ten children followed in his footsteps and had their fingers in everything. His wife was frightened by his ideas as are many people today. I think the antidote to fear is to learn about his ideas and evaluate them for ourselves. The book ends by mentioning his efforts to train earthworms which were unsuccessful. I don't think the author is mocking Darwin but showing that he was a true scientist, testing his ideas and evaluating the results based on his observations.
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February 11, 2015Great introduction to Charles Darwin, wonderfully written and outstanding, whimsical illustrations. A real treat for both eyes and mind! My girls loved this book.
The artist had this to say about the illustrative process of this book: "The illustrations in this book started out as drawings created with acrylic inks, watercolor, and graphite pencil. I moved up the food chain to add gouache and colored pencil. After sealing the pictures with acrylic medium, I did my thicker acrylic painting, then fooled around a little more with graphite and colored pencil. Finally, I added the collage elements, including paper, string, and weeds and wildflowers from my yard and nearby ditches and fields."
The artist had this to say about the illustrative process of this book: "The illustrations in this book started out as drawings created with acrylic inks, watercolor, and graphite pencil. I moved up the food chain to add gouache and colored pencil. After sealing the pictures with acrylic medium, I did my thicker acrylic painting, then fooled around a little more with graphite and colored pencil. Finally, I added the collage elements, including paper, string, and weeds and wildflowers from my yard and nearby ditches and fields."
June 25, 2016
One Beetle Too Many was a wonderful introduction both to the life of Charles Darwin, and to the theories he put forth in The Origin of Species. Even though I know quite a bit about Charles Darwin's Life, I learned some new things about him (Such as his opposition to slavery), and the book was peppered with many funny anecdotal stories about his life (as a child he once ran out of room to hold beetles he was collecting so he put one in his mouth and ran home as fast as he could). The pictures are more appealing to younger readers, but the written words are a bit complex. I would recommend to fifth graders or above who are interested in science and history.
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July 29, 2011This is a great biography of Charles Darwin for the grammar school set==a mixture of Darwin the adventurer and Darwin the nerd, with all the true things in place, and enough for the to be able to follow the story of this momentous discovery and time in the mid-19th century. On top of that, the illustrations are gorgeous, and hit the right note of complexity to help kids visualize what it was that Darwin observed that made him thing that organisms adapt to their micro-environments. I would highly recommend this for the budding young scientist in any crowd.
July 2, 2013
This picture book biography presents a fairly comprehensive look at the life one of the most well-known naturalists of all time: Charles Darwin. The story focuses mainly on his years on the Beagle, a ship that was commissioned by Britain to survey the southern coasts of South America. The observations Darwin made on this trip would forever change his perception of the natural world and would help spur his theory of evolution. The author does an exceptional job of presenting the controversy surrounding this complex idea as well as Darwin’s own personal struggle with it.
February 14, 2010
Good overview of Darwin's life & contributions to science, with personal touches appealing to young readers: i.e, he once popped a beetle in his mouth to carry home b/c his hands were already full. Supposedly he did poorly in school, too busy following his passion for nature & environment; I have a soft spot for stories like that. Illustrations incorporate found natural objects, really enhance the story & are nicely done. Looking forward to seeing the Darwin flick that's coming out soon.
July 13, 2010
This is the sort of picture book that's really better suited for the older grades. It's NOT well-suited as a read-aloud, and it's written on a "6.8" reading level... that's right, suited for the end of the 6th grade.
It offers an ample view of Darwin's life and research. I've put it away for now, though, as my nieces simply aren't old enough and there's no room on their shelves for books they aren't reading!
It offers an ample view of Darwin's life and research. I've put it away for now, though, as my nieces simply aren't old enough and there's no room on their shelves for books they aren't reading!
February 16, 2010
I found this on a list of read-alouds for second graders. While it might be a bit long for a single session read aloud, it is a simplified yet compelling version of Darwin's story. The illustrations are just funky enough to offset the serious nature of Darwin's quest. At the end, I felt a bit closer to old Charley.
March 11, 2013
Great way to capture the adventures of Darwin
* Time span of lessons- couple of weeks
Discussions reviewing curriculum content:
- Big bang theory (if it is not banned)
- Observations
- Data analysis/collection
- Following dreams/ heart
- Geological changes/ Variations
- Evolution
- Survival of the fittest
This is a fun, engaging, story form to discuss the contents above!
* Time span of lessons- couple of weeks
Discussions reviewing curriculum content:
- Big bang theory (if it is not banned)
- Observations
- Data analysis/collection
- Following dreams/ heart
- Geological changes/ Variations
- Evolution
- Survival of the fittest
This is a fun, engaging, story form to discuss the contents above!
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