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The Crossing
by
Donna Jo Napoli (Goodreads Author),
Jim Madsen
This young, lyrical picture book reveals the adventure and natural wonders that Lewis & Clark encountered on their Western expedition in the early 1800s. Told from the point of view of Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, the baby on Sacagawea's back, this story offers a fresh perspective of a young country and gives voice to a character readers will already be familiar with...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
June 14th 2011
by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
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Although some of the words used in this story of the Lewis and Clark expedition are lyrical and help the readers see and hear what parts of the journey might have been like--the "flit, flit" of the salmon and the "clip, clop" of the mountin goats, for instance--other parts of the story are a bit confusing. Reading the Author's Note helps relieve some of the confusion, but there are still parts of the journey that seem disorienting, which may be because the author is telling the story through the...more
Remember what I said about me and Napoli books? This is a 'hate' for me. And more importantly, for Julia.
I assumed, from just looking at this that Julia was in the target audience. Well, she's not apparently. She's pretty far ahead of her peers in the whole reading thing and she loves learning. She's always loved learning. She has her favorite things to learn about of course but she's always open to new things. (I'm lucky, I know.)
But we started this and I immediately knew she wasn't going for i...more
I assumed, from just looking at this that Julia was in the target audience. Well, she's not apparently. She's pretty far ahead of her peers in the whole reading thing and she loves learning. She's always loved learning. She has her favorite things to learn about of course but she's always open to new things. (I'm lucky, I know.)
But we started this and I immediately knew she wasn't going for i...more
1 like · like · see review
view all 5 comments
This stunning new picture book, written by Donna Jo Napoli and majestically illustrated by Jim Madsen, tells the story of the Lewis and Clark expedition from the point of view of its youngest participant, baby Jean Baptiste, son of Sacagawea. Strapped onto his mother's back in a cradle board, the baby comments on the various sights and sounds of the expedition. The narrative is written in free verse. Here is an example from the book's opening:
"Rolled in rabbit hide/I am tucked snug/in a cradle p...more
"Rolled in rabbit hide/I am tucked snug/in a cradle p...more
The Crossing by Donna Jo Napoli, illustrated by Jim Madsen is a picturebook look at the Lewis and Clark expedition from the point of view of the baby on Sacagawea's back, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau.
The tale follows the expedition's crossing of the west with an emphasis on animals, including grizzly bear, buffalo, salmon, cougars, elermines, mountain goats, nutcrackers, owls, deer, dogs, tree frogs whale bones, bees, stolen horses, and rabbits with an emphasis on their sounds. Sounds of dancing, b...more
The tale follows the expedition's crossing of the west with an emphasis on animals, including grizzly bear, buffalo, salmon, cougars, elermines, mountain goats, nutcrackers, owls, deer, dogs, tree frogs whale bones, bees, stolen horses, and rabbits with an emphasis on their sounds. Sounds of dancing, b...more
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book which is from the perspective of the narrator, Sacajawea's son Jean Baptiste. He tells of all the adventures they went on and all that he saw, even though he couldn't make sense of it all. This book would be perfect for I believe 4th grade, when Nebraska student's history is all about Nebraska history. I think this would be a perfect fit because I remember learning a lot about Lewis and Clark then and it would have been cool to see the story from another vi...more
I had serious problems with the illustrations in this book. So much so that I didn't pay enough attention to the text to rate it.
Where in the world in Clark's slave, York, in this book? He was on the expedition. He was kinda important. He existed--this is not up for debate, it's a historical fact. How can you then illustrate a picture book about this expedition and LEAVE HIM OUT? Unacceptable.
On a less angry note, I now want to go research the little boy Sacajawea adopted during the journey. He...more
Where in the world in Clark's slave, York, in this book? He was on the expedition. He was kinda important. He existed--this is not up for debate, it's a historical fact. How can you then illustrate a picture book about this expedition and LEAVE HIM OUT? Unacceptable.
On a less angry note, I now want to go research the little boy Sacajawea adopted during the journey. He...more
Apr 23, 2012
Hakeem Bashir
added it
“It tells the story of the Lewis and Clark expedition from the point of view of its youngest participant, baby Jean Baptiste, son of Sacagawea. Strapped onto his mother's back in a cradle board, the baby comments on the various sights and sounds of the expedition”
The story took place in Sacagawea where a woman of the Shoshoni tribe wrapped her son Jean Baptiste into cradle board. The baby began a long journey with his parents whom they were helping the pioneers’ prisoners Meriwether Lewis and Wi...more
The story took place in Sacagawea where a woman of the Shoshoni tribe wrapped her son Jean Baptiste into cradle board. The baby began a long journey with his parents whom they were helping the pioneers’ prisoners Meriwether Lewis and Wi...more
A peek at the Lewis and Clark expedition from Sacajewa's baby Jean Baptiste's eyes. The simple text is poetic and includes many references to the animals seen along the way. There is a true sense of crossing the majestic countryside and a hint at the trials and dangers they faced. I loved this new perspective! One interesting note about the illustrations: they are lovely and really add to the story. When I checked to see what painting technique (acrylics?) the illustrator had used I was so surpr...more
My review on The Crimson Review of Children's & YA Literature:
Have you ever wanted to travel across the country with Lewis, Clark and Sacagawea? It’s possible to envision the journey through the eyes of her infant son, Jean Baptiste, in Napoli’s wonderful picture book for children. Recreating the journey with exquisite illustrations, readers are treated to the sights and sounds of nature and man as Jean Baptiste travels across the country strapped to his mother’s back. Children can relate to...more
Have you ever wanted to travel across the country with Lewis, Clark and Sacagawea? It’s possible to envision the journey through the eyes of her infant son, Jean Baptiste, in Napoli’s wonderful picture book for children. Recreating the journey with exquisite illustrations, readers are treated to the sights and sounds of nature and man as Jean Baptiste travels across the country strapped to his mother’s back. Children can relate to...more
A gorgeous retelling of the Lewis and Clark story, told through the eyes of Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, the infant that Sacagawea carried on her back during their explorations. Readers will see mountains, rivers and forests. They will also meet bear, elk, cougars and more. Napoli’s poem captures the rhythm of the journey, the stroke of the oars, the moments of quiet. It is an immersive book where readers get to see the glory of the land that makes up our country, unspoiled by man-made structures....more
The illustrations in this book are beautiful. The story of Lewis and Clark is told from the perspective of the infant on Sacagawea's back. There are some who love books told in verse, but it isn't my favorite format. My other concern it that there are no mentions to anyone's names except for the subtitle of the book. If you aren't already aware of who the people in the story are, you would not discover them until the author's note. I will have to sit on this one and give it a couple of more
read the author's note; unless youre already very familiar with the history and journey the story as it's laid out can be confusing. it's written in a sort of rhyme with onomonopia to accent the adventure. and the pictures are really beautiful but kind of reminded me of the Disney style of illustration, so it's possible kids might confuse this with Pocahontas and let it all blur together which in the end is NOT what I'd want. so while it's a nice book it isnt stellar.
The story of Lewis and Clark’s trip across the country is told by a small baby carried by the team’s guide, Sacagawea.
“Wind catches the sail,
swing and woop!
Over we go, Bia’ and Ape’ and me---
Mother and Father and Babe---
splash, shiver.
Flit, flit,
salmon sparkle in my dreams.”
A story told in bold painted illustrations and poetic text, with lots of onomatopoeia.
“Wind catches the sail,
swing and woop!
Over we go, Bia’ and Ape’ and me---
Mother and Father and Babe---
splash, shiver.
Flit, flit,
salmon sparkle in my dreams.”
A story told in bold painted illustrations and poetic text, with lots of onomatopoeia.
This text, with it's use of onomateoipia, tells the story of the Lewis and Clark Journey from the perspective of Sacagawea's infant Jean Bastiste, who made most of the journey across the country on the back of Sacagawea. The text is simple and readable and the afterword on the end was consise and inormative. I liked the book. It's certainly better than The Earth Shook, which I really didn't like.
A beautifully illustrated poem-form story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition told from the point of view of Jean-Baptiste, Sacagawea's son. The illustrations are out of this world.
My one regret on this book is that there is a distinct absence in York, the African-American slave who was a large part of the expedition and Seaman, the famous Newfoundland dog who was also along for the ride.
My one regret on this book is that there is a distinct absence in York, the African-American slave who was a large part of the expedition and Seaman, the famous Newfoundland dog who was also along for the ride.
We enjoyed the Author's Note more than we enjoyed the content on the pages. I wanted this to make sense because it was an interesting point of view but I don't think children will glean much information about Lewis & Clark's journey based on the way this is written. I give it credit for the illustrations, though, and featuring the many animals and locations Lewis & Clark experienced.
This book is illustrated by my brother in law, Jim Madsen. Yeah! He is an incredible artist. I also enjoyed reading this one to Joshua's class. I use it as an example of how authors differ from illustrators; and we learned about real history. The story is based on actual historical facts of Sacagawea's trip she leads Lewis and Clark on to the East Coast.
The illustrations are beautiful, but I don't think the book would really make much sense if you didn't know the story of Sacagawea already. Of course, if you're reading this to a preschooler, that won't matter at all: The charming images and onomatopoetic phrases will be enough to entertain and delight a young child without the historical context.
amazing illustrations, and beautiful rhyming text tell the story of Lewis and Clark, and Sacagawea through the eyes of her infant boy. I do wonder how well this would translate into a read aloud for younger audiences... it would be a perfect addition to an older elementary unit on Lewis and Clark.
This was an interesting book, told from the point of view of Jean Baptiste the baby. It doesn't have a ton of information so read it with another book about Sacagawea if you're doing a unit study. The pictures are worth checking out the book alone, I think - they were very engaging.
I was so excited to see a book about Sacagawea, who I studied as a child and my daughter now recognized, that I picked it up and read it myself. But when I got it home my daughter didn't like it, and reading it aloud I didn't sound as fluid. It's beautifully illustrated. But now I'm confused because I'd never heard about a husband/father. He was briefly mentioned but then never seemed to be captured at all. Disappointing.
While this book has amazing illustrations showing the travels of Lewis & Clark from the perspective of a child on Sacagawea's back, the text is quite simple. A good book for a young child that would be interested in early exploration.
Feb 05, 2012
Judy Desetti
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
3, 4, 5 grade teachers of social studies
Simple story about Sacajawea and the 1805 expedition of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Told from the perspective of Jean Baptiste who rode in the papoose. A very simple tale of what he baby saw. The author gives a more detailed explanation at the end of the book, still there is little info and more would be needed to study this period of time.
Would make a good introduction into the subject of the expedition and what they saw.
RECOMMEND. I purchased this one to add to the library.
Would make a good introduction into the subject of the expedition and what they saw.
RECOMMEND. I purchased this one to add to the library.
This book is about Lewis and Clark expedition told from the point of view of Jean Baptiste, who is Sacajawea baby.
It was a nice book. The illustrations are amazing and beautiful, I think they were my favorite part about the book.
It was a nice book. The illustrations are amazing and beautiful, I think they were my favorite part about the book.
Another E book where I have to wonder, How old is the audience supposed to be? The pictures are lovely, but the poetry of the text can be confusing until one reads the author's note in the back.
Beautifully illustrated. This is trying to appeal to a younger set and not get bogged in the details. Sacagawea was quite a woman. We have nothing to complain about.
Great color illustrations! This is a gentle story of the Lewis and Clark expedition spoken by the child of Sacawagea.
A visually stunning look at the continent when it was still wild, but the POV of the baby is confusing at best.
Beautiful illustrations, rhythmic text, informational story. Would be a great teaching supplement. Loved it!
Lewis & Clark journey told from the POV of Sacagawea's baby, Jean Baptiste. Great illustrations, mediocre text.
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From her website:
Donna Jo Napoli is both a linguist and a writer of children's and YA fiction.
Donna Jo has five children. She dreams of moving to the woods and becoming a naturalist. She loves to garden and bake bread.
At various times her house and yard have been filled with dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits. For thirteen years she had a cat named Taxi, and liked to go outside and call, "Taxi!" to...more
More about Donna Jo Napoli...
Donna Jo Napoli is both a linguist and a writer of children's and YA fiction.
Donna Jo has five children. She dreams of moving to the woods and becoming a naturalist. She loves to garden and bake bread.
At various times her house and yard have been filled with dogs, cats, birds, and rabbits. For thirteen years she had a cat named Taxi, and liked to go outside and call, "Taxi!" to...more
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