Jason Chin has walked the line between fiction and nonfiction in his earlier acclaimed books, Redwoods and Coral Reefs. This time with Island: A Story of the Galápagos, however, he falls definitively on the nonfiction side, with a beautifully illustrated narrative nonfiction relating the events that surround the development of the Galapágos Islands. 
Equating the stages of island building to that of a human, he walks the reader through “Birth,” “Childhood,” “Adulthood,” and “Old Age” of the islands. He prominently features many of the animals that are unique to the Galapágos, their arrival and the consequent changes they went through, like the enchanting Galapágos giant tortoise and the marine iguana.
As in his previous books, the lavish illustrations are often breathtaking. Between more standard full page illustrations, he has developed a series of small illustrations with text underneath that have the intimate feel of a family slide show.
Many older people dream of visiting the unique and fantastic Galapágos Islands someday. This book will be sure to excite children about them as well. Fabulous addition to any library!
Reading level: Ages 5 and up
Hardcover: 36 pages
Publisher: Flash Point (September 18, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1596437162
ISBN-13: 978-1596437166
Nonfiction Monday is a blogging celebration of nonfiction books for kids. We invite you to join us. For more information and a schedule, stop by Booktalking to see who is hosting each week.
Today’s round-up is at Jean Little Library.