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Columbus
A life of the Genoese weaver's son who sought to prove the world is round, telling how he studied map-making in Portugal, waited long years for financial and material support from Isabella of Spain, and finally made four voyages to the New World.
61 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1955
About the author
Ingri d'Aulaire
61 books182 followersIngri d'Aulaire (1904-1980) was an American children's artist and illustrator, who worked in collaboration with her husband and fellow artist, Edgar Parin d'Aulaire. Born Ingri Mortenson in Kongsburg, Norway, she studied art in Norway, Germany and France, and met Edgar Parin d'Aulaire when she was a student in Munich. They married in 1925, and immigrated to the USA shortly thereafter, settling in Brooklyn in 1929. After pursuing separate careers initially, the couple turned to illustrating children's books together, releasing their first collaborative effort, The Magic Rug, in 1931. They settled in Wilton, Connecticut in 1941, and lived there until their deaths in the 1980s. Awarded the 1940 Caldecott Medal for their picture-book biography of Abraham Lincoln, the d'Aulaires published other children's biographies, as well as some notable works on Greek and Norse mythology. (source: Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
August 6, 2026
I have hesitated to add these shorter books that we read aloud, but they’re just so good (and helpful for me who did not really get these stories as a kid!). We spent about 6 weeks slowly going through this one. The quality illustrations on every single spread are so refreshing.
December 16, 2019
rating: 3.2
This would be worth recommending to a young reader who has questions about Columbus. As I read, I wondered about the accuracy. We know a lot more about the man and his voyages now than we did in the early 1950s when this was written. Columbus is portrayed as a hero, and cruelties are attributed to others.
p 44: The queen had ruled that the Indians were to be treated kindly and only gently converted to Christianity. When Columbus reminded his men of this, they refused to obey and began to plot against him. Columbus, who handled his men so well at sea, could not handle them on land.
(cringe)
The art is entertaining and the portraits are fairly generic.
This would be worth recommending to a young reader who has questions about Columbus. As I read, I wondered about the accuracy. We know a lot more about the man and his voyages now than we did in the early 1950s when this was written. Columbus is portrayed as a hero, and cruelties are attributed to others.
p 44: The queen had ruled that the Indians were to be treated kindly and only gently converted to Christianity. When Columbus reminded his men of this, they refused to obey and began to plot against him. Columbus, who handled his men so well at sea, could not handle them on land.
(cringe)
The art is entertaining and the portraits are fairly generic.
December 16, 2016
A good children's version of Columbus' life and voyages giving some insight into the thoughts and values of the man, noting some weaknesses as well as accomplishments.
December 29, 2015
It sort of pains me to only give this book 4 stars; it is really so good. (I am one of those people who either passionately loves a book or hates it. There is rarely an in between.)
These d'Aulaire books are GORGEOUSLY illustrated, and I feel like I am looking at a work of art as I flip through the pages. All of the d'Aulaire biographies are books that I am proud to own and collect. HOWEVER, I give it 4 stars because I feel like they are a bit awkward to read aloud. The information in the book is very good though, and this is a worthwhile read aloud for all children.
These d'Aulaire books are GORGEOUSLY illustrated, and I feel like I am looking at a work of art as I flip through the pages. All of the d'Aulaire biographies are books that I am proud to own and collect. HOWEVER, I give it 4 stars because I feel like they are a bit awkward to read aloud. The information in the book is very good though, and this is a worthwhile read aloud for all children.
December 30, 2020
I was not a fan of the way this piece of history was discussed in this resource. Columbus didn't just bring new friends to the new world, he captured people and took them against their will with him to an old world that was new to him. The book frames history with an us vs. them and a good guys vs. bad guys mentality that did not feel helpful when learning history with the kids in a polarized world that already pushes us all into those dichotomies.
September 6, 2023
A read aloud for our history curriculum. The illustrations were nice, and it was very informative. My kids were struggling to maintain interest, though, and I had to do some mild editing on the fly. Though I’m sure it was accurate to the sentiments of the time, it’s hard not to cringe at the idea of reading aloud that the native people were “savages”.
December 21, 2008
We are really learning to love these books by the D'Aulaires. In looking at the information on the dust jacket today I learned that they did two years of research and then another one year of drawing and writing to put this book together. I think that's so wonderful! It was so interesting to read about Columbus. The daughter that I read this book to tonight was telling me how she wants to read "Leif the Lucky" and also how she wants to own some of these books! Cool!
February 15, 2018
The kids read this to themselves this fall, but I ordered the whole Beautiful Feet CA history package, and it starts with this one, so I reread it to them. I appreciated the nuance re: treatment of the native inhabitants of the islands Columbus discovered and the dueling desires to spread the gospel and make money. Beautiful illustrations, of course, and it held the attention of all the kids.
September 18, 2015
My son and I enjoyed this book. It was a good introduction to Columbus and his strengths and , to some degree, his weaknesses. It did include info about Native Americans being forced into slavery, it went a little deeper into Columbus's four journeys to the new world than most kids' books.
September 6, 2016
We love d'Aulaires' books, the illustrations are beautiful and they know how to tell a story! I like that they didn't make Columbus out to be totally angelic, but they also tamed it down a lot. I really enjoy their mythology books.
July 6, 2017
I enjoy teaching history to my kids by focusing on individual historical figures. The D'Aulaire's books have been favorites around our house. The illustrations are great and all of their books are well written.
August 25, 2008
This was a pretty good book, but not my favorite...
November 25, 2009
He really enjoyed this one. Did a beautiful portrait of Columbus based on one of the illustrations in the book!
October 11, 2011
This is such a beautiful book. It's a great way to introduce kids to information and history: delightful pictures and an engaging story.
October 1, 2012
Well-narrated story of Columbus. Beautifully illustrated. My kids and I enjoyed it.
September 19, 2014
Read for school with girls. Great book and loved the art work!
October 20, 2014
Beautiful illustrations, beautifully told.
October 12, 2015
We really enjoy all the D'Aulaire books. Read this one again for Columbus day 10/12/15
Read and went through the Beautiful Feet Questions. Changed from 4 stars to 5 stars..krb 10/10/16
Read and went through the Beautiful Feet Questions. Changed from 4 stars to 5 stars..krb 10/10/16
October 21, 2016
The artwork is so beautiful in the d'Aulaire books! I love how this read, like a story not like a textbook. We are looking forward to reading more from this family.
November 3, 2016
Beautiful illustrations with an engaging historical narrative. Love the d'Aulaire books!
April 17, 2017
A beautiful book!
August 22, 2017
We always enjoy the beautiful D'Aulaire books, but this one might be our favorite so far (though we haven't read Abe or Ben or Buffalo Bill).
March 12, 2019
Very detailed, good vocabulary, rather long, accurate but does avoid some of the less appropriate details. Good introduction to Columbus!
April 20, 2019
It's Biography about the life of Columbus and the story of his adventure for looking for new land. Nice story!
May 8, 2019
Very interesting, great pictures. Great biography for kids.
Want to Read
August 31, 2019CURRICULUM: BFB Early American History Intermediate
Read
November 16, 2019Lots of cool facts very interesting and fun
February 18, 2021
This one was a read aloud in the homeschool for the subject of Early American History, as prescribed by Beautiful Feet Books. I enjoyed much about it but like any discerning home educator who is careful about whose hands our histories are placed in, I had to take time to pause and explain certain variables that surfaced in the reading. More on that later.
I'm fascinated by children's books that not only tell a good story but present it with intriguing, delightful illustrations. Utilizing the Charlotte Mason method in the home school draws me to living books that tell a story with the least amount of twaddle and insult to intelligence, with careful consideration to children's sensibilities. The D'Aulaire's are masters of this (in fact, I enjoy how they inserted the Leif Erikson saga on page 16-- a nod to their other title, Leif the Lucky). However...
We need to be careful to take time with our young readers as they bear witness to history told in the narrative voice with no qualms about offense, or insult. Take for instance, page 34, which presents the claiming of the land by Columbus, the description of the indigenous people as "red-skinned savages," and then this anecdote: "The Spaniards did not mind being treated like gods by these gentle heathens to whom they had come to bring the Christian faith." I needed to explain to my daughter that Christian and Catholic are not synonymous, and it bears repeating over and over again when these faiths are categorized as equal. Columbus was motivated by Queen Isabella to share the Catholic faith. Distinctions are a matter of great importance. And this reference is layered with more to explain to the young reader, to be a critical thinker when digesting information like this.
Overall, I would recommend this book for the home school reading repertoire, but with careful direction, whilst allowing the young student to draw conclusions, to make inferences that are self-directed...that is what makes this exercise more enticing for future readings. Again, this title is not a text, but rather a narrative account that, truth be told, interested me in perhaps reading the accounts of Columbus himself through his journals that I'm sure will be equally informative as they would be incendiary. I was quite impressed that my daughter saw Columbus in his true form and it is my hope that other children will as well.
I'm fascinated by children's books that not only tell a good story but present it with intriguing, delightful illustrations. Utilizing the Charlotte Mason method in the home school draws me to living books that tell a story with the least amount of twaddle and insult to intelligence, with careful consideration to children's sensibilities. The D'Aulaire's are masters of this (in fact, I enjoy how they inserted the Leif Erikson saga on page 16-- a nod to their other title, Leif the Lucky). However...
We need to be careful to take time with our young readers as they bear witness to history told in the narrative voice with no qualms about offense, or insult. Take for instance, page 34, which presents the claiming of the land by Columbus, the description of the indigenous people as "red-skinned savages," and then this anecdote: "The Spaniards did not mind being treated like gods by these gentle heathens to whom they had come to bring the Christian faith." I needed to explain to my daughter that Christian and Catholic are not synonymous, and it bears repeating over and over again when these faiths are categorized as equal. Columbus was motivated by Queen Isabella to share the Catholic faith. Distinctions are a matter of great importance. And this reference is layered with more to explain to the young reader, to be a critical thinker when digesting information like this.
Overall, I would recommend this book for the home school reading repertoire, but with careful direction, whilst allowing the young student to draw conclusions, to make inferences that are self-directed...that is what makes this exercise more enticing for future readings. Again, this title is not a text, but rather a narrative account that, truth be told, interested me in perhaps reading the accounts of Columbus himself through his journals that I'm sure will be equally informative as they would be incendiary. I was quite impressed that my daughter saw Columbus in his true form and it is my hope that other children will as well.
March 29, 2021
"Colombus was a great man. But he was not a modest man. He wanted too much, and so he did not get enough. While he lived nobody realized the full importance of his discoveries."
I adore the biographical books by Ingri D'Aulaire. They provide child appropriate biographies with lovely illustrations. This book celebrates the ambition and persistence of the man who dared to sail west in search of the riches of the Orient.
I understand that Columbus led to the destruction of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. We cannot change that now. Although greed was a primary driver and not an honorable ambition, it is important to remember that he was a man of his time and of his culture. Only by learning history can we understand our human short-comings to make the future better.
Columbus was not a man of true moral character, but his accomplishments and the courage he showed in seeking what lay across the Atlantic, changed the course of history and are worthy of recognition. In an age where many want to change and demonize the history and punish an entire race of people for things they did not do nor believe, this classic book provides a judgement-free based account of the history, which allows each family to have their own conversation about the "discovery" of the Americas.
I adore the biographical books by Ingri D'Aulaire. They provide child appropriate biographies with lovely illustrations. This book celebrates the ambition and persistence of the man who dared to sail west in search of the riches of the Orient.
I understand that Columbus led to the destruction of the indigenous peoples of the Americas. We cannot change that now. Although greed was a primary driver and not an honorable ambition, it is important to remember that he was a man of his time and of his culture. Only by learning history can we understand our human short-comings to make the future better.
Columbus was not a man of true moral character, but his accomplishments and the courage he showed in seeking what lay across the Atlantic, changed the course of history and are worthy of recognition. In an age where many want to change and demonize the history and punish an entire race of people for things they did not do nor believe, this classic book provides a judgement-free based account of the history, which allows each family to have their own conversation about the "discovery" of the Americas.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews