Welcome on board the research ship Sula. Seven scientists from around the world have joined together in an expedition to the Galápagos.
This beautiful illustrated non-fiction text shows the links between travel, science and history. The book begins with the geography of the Galápagos islands before introducing the Sula‘s crew and explaining the different branches of science that might join together to form a mission. Other topics include the natural life of the islands, the history of discovery on the islands – most specifically the discoveries Darwin made about evolution by studying the island’s finches. The island’s underwater life and the impact of climate crisis are also covered. This demonstrates beautifully how a topic can be used to study different subjects. The illustrations can also be used for art inspiration ans the adventures of the scientists could be used to inspire multiple forms of writing. The recurring characters of the modern day scientists are a real bonus to this text because children can look back over the book to see what one type of scientist might do on different days.
The level of the text makes is suitable for younger children – it would certainly fit a Lower KS2 Classroom because although there are some longer introductions to the different subjects most of the spreads contain only a small number of chunks of text that are three or four short sentences long. There is also plenty of child-friendly humour, with references to poo and plenty of airtime for the Blue Footed Booby, but this is not to the extent that the factual nature of the book is lost to the jokes. There is just enough to keep readers engaged and happy and rewarded for their study.
The illustrations contain a glorious array of colours that bring both above and underwater landscapes to life. It is lovely to see the land and water in multiple shades of the same colour because some factual texts forget to do this and give more attention over to detail where it comes to the animals than their habitats. The spreads vary between wide landscapes, a focus on one species or small geographical area, and boxes that show different types of the same thing (eg. different finches with different beaks). There are also some maps that situate the islands in context and show where one island lies in relation to another.
This will appeal to children with an appetite for science, wildlife or travel. It will also be a big hit with teachers and librarians because there has been a lack of recent and engaging illustrated non-fiction on this subject area and this fills a gap in the market. It also fills a gap for books that show how science comes from historical travel, adventures might come as a quest to answer scientific questions, and art and writing can be used both to pose these questions and as forms of scientific observation and journalling. Colourful, charming and informative – just what a good information text should be.
- Scientists in the Wild: Galápagos by Helen Scales and Rômolo D’Hipólito is available now from Flying Eye Books. RRP. £15.99 (Provided for review)
