Charles Darwin's Around The World Adventure

Charles Darwin’s Around the World Adventure by Jennifer Thermes is a well written story with impeccable illustrations that bring the story of Charles Darwin and his adventures to life. Thermes takes the extensive story of Darwin and writes it in a way that children and adults can enjoy the story. She uses her talent to turn this story into something extravagant. Her book appeals to everyone, whether they enjoy science or not. Thermes’s thoughtful illustrations, accompanied by an important part of history, create a masterpiece in children’s literature. This part of history can be extremely confusing to wrap your head around, so Thermes wrote the story in a way that makes the content appropriate for young children. She uses terms and experiences that children can listen and relate to. For example, the young Darwin attempted to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a doctor. Most children can relate to wanting to grow up and be just like their parents. Another relatable example is on the first page when Darwin is chasing a butterfly. Many children enjoy frolicking through the prairies catching butterflies, dragonflies and much more. This illustration immediately draws children in …show more content…
The bright colors she used gave the impression of a very joyful voyage, full of beautiful adventures. Additionally, the blue and green tones were very soothing, making the story calm and enjoyable. She also uses elements of line to add to her pictures. For example, when the Beagle sets sail, she used jagged lines in the water to make it appear rough and rocky. She also uses diagonal lines to add to the climactic point when Darwin discovered fossilized seashells on the mountain tops. The lines add to the excitement he felt after this discovery. There was rarely white or black space which added value to the pictures, especially when there was a dark tree against a light blue