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THE SECRET WORLD OF WALTER ANDERSON

Name: THE SECRET WORLD OF WALTER ANDERSON
Author: Hester Bass
ISBN: 978-0-7636-3583-1

by Hester Bass & illustrated by E.B. Lewis ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 1, 2009

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A gorgeous chronicle of a versatile southern American artist. “There once was a man whose love of nature was as wide as the world. / There once was an artist who needed to paint as much as he needed to breathe.” Bass’s text about Walter Anderson structures some sequential sentences with parallel beginnings, creating a sense of layered depth. The story section reads lyrically, and a lengthy (ten pages!) author’s note adds reproductions and useful biographical detail (mental illness, media variety, historical preservation of the art) for older readers. Superb watercolor technique, dramatic angles and moody shifts of light show the artist on beaches, in boats and on his favorite island. Anderson appears on most pages but Lewis often cleverly obscures his face, emphasizing water, wildlife and landscape over human individuality, matching Anderson’s own values. The illustration of a secret room whose walls Anderson painted in oils doesn’t reveal exactly what the text describes; following the bibliography, however, comes a treat—a clear photo of that exquisite hidden room, perfect for comparison with Lewis’s watercolor version. (bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 6-10)

Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2009

ISBN: 978-0-7636-3583-1

Page Count: 48

Publisher: Candlewick

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2009

Categories:

CHILDREN'S BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR | CHILDREN'S HISTORY

- BOOK REVIEW
SEEDS OF FREEDOM
by Hester Bass ; illustrated by E.B. Lewis

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REACHING FOR THE MOON

by Buzz Aldrin & illustrated by Wendell Minor ‧ RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2005

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In first-person voice, Aldrin highlights points from his childhood that led to his dream of being an astronaut and making the historic moon landing. Coincidental details like his mother’s maiden name, “Moon,” and his favorite movie hero, the “Lone Ranger,” suggest clues to his destiny. After West Point, he joined the Air Force because “he wanted to fly more than anything.” Minor’s usual beautiful and realistic illustrations effectively convey spatial perspectives and movement, adding depth to the narrative. However, the cover design and type layout are confusing, indicative of a biography instead of an autobiography—a brief intro could have clarified it. Aldrin’s message in an author’s note avows, “If you set your sights high, you may accomplish more than you ever dreamed.” Pair this with Don Brown’s One Giant Step for a child’s-eye view on space exploration. (Flight/space exploration chronology) (Picture book/biography. 6-9)

Pub Date: June 1, 2005

ISBN: 0-06-055445-2

Page Count: 40

Publisher: HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2005

Categories:

CHILDREN'S BIOGRAPHY & MEMOIR | CHILDREN'S SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

- BOOK REVIEW
TO THE MOON AND BACK
by Buzz Aldrin & Marianne Dyson ; illustrated by Bruce Foster

- BOOK REVIEW
LOOK TO THE STARS
by Buzz Aldrin and illustrated by Wendell Minor

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THE SECRET SUBWAY

by Shana Corey ; illustrated by Red Nose Studio ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 8, 2016

Absolutely wonderful in every way.

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A long-forgotten chapter in New York City history is brilliantly illuminated.

In mid-19th-century New York, horses and horse-drawn vehicles were the only means of transportation, and the din created by wheels as they rumbled on the cobblestones was deafening. The congestion at intersections threatened the lives of drivers and pedestrians alike. Many solutions were bandied about, but nothing was ever done. Enter Alfred Ely Beach, an admirer of “newfangled notions.” Working in secret, he created an underground train powered by an enormous fan in a pneumatic tube. He built a tunnel lined with brick and concrete and a sumptuously decorated waiting room for passenger comfort. It brought a curious public rushing to use it and became a great though short-lived success, ending when the corrupt politician Boss Tweed used his influence to kill the whole project. Here is science, history, suspense, secrecy, and skulduggery in action. Corey’s narrative is brisk, chatty, and highly descriptive, vividly presenting all the salient facts and making the events accessible and fascinating to modern readers. The incredibly inventive multimedia illustrations match the text perfectly and add detail, dimension, and pizazz. Located on the inside of the book jacket is a step-by-step guide to the creative process behind these remarkable illustrations.

Absolutely wonderful in every way. (author’s note, bibliography, Web resources) (Informational picture book. 6-10)