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61st out of 97 books
—
21 voters
I, Galileo
Acclaimed author-illustrator Bonnie Christensen adopts the voice of Galileo and lets him tell his own tale in this outstanding picture book biography. The first person narration gives this book a friendly, personal feel that makes Galileo's remarkable achievements and ideas completely accessible to young readers. And Christensen's artwork glows with the light of the stars...more
Hardcover, 40 pages
Published
June 12th 2012
by Knopf Books for Young Readers
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The picture book biography I, Galileo by Bonnie Christensen has been getting quite a bit of buzz around children’s literature circles, including a review in The New York Times and a Cybils nomination.
This buzz is well-deserved praise. Starting with the title written in glittery stars (at least in the hardcover version), Bonnie Christensen has nailed the details. Her illustrations create a mood of the times, which was appropriately dark like paintings that have aged. She also unexpectedly uses th...more
This buzz is well-deserved praise. Starting with the title written in glittery stars (at least in the hardcover version), Bonnie Christensen has nailed the details. Her illustrations create a mood of the times, which was appropriately dark like paintings that have aged. She also unexpectedly uses th...more
I loved this biography of astronomer Galileo for both its beautiful illustrations and its text. I like Christensen's artwork, especially the gorgeous 2-page title page, with its deep blues contrasted with Galileo's rich red robe and the pale yellow moon. When I first opened the book, I had to just gaze at those two pages for a while before moving on. Looking at it I could feel myself outside with him. Another picture that caught and held my attention was the 2-page spread of Galileo being tried...more
This biography of Galileo explains to young readers not only who he is but what happened to one of the greatest scientists who would not give up learning and discovering science because of popular perceptions. The book has beautiful illustrations that go over prevalent beliefs when Galileo first started learning about science—the universe revolved around the Earth, gravity acted differently according to weight, etc. It also shows some of the ideas that Galileo helped pioneer—mathematics and musi...more
Galileo's father said " A person must be allowed to ask questions, and seek answers in search of truth." He listened to his father and challenged Aristotle's claim that a heavy object would fall faster than a light object. Through his observation-based reasoning, he challenged the popular belief that the sun, moon, planets and all the stars circled a motionless Earth, the proposal propolsed by Aristotle, refined by Ptolemy, and upheld by the Catholic Church. Using his telescope, Galileo confirme...more
Told in the first person, this look at Galileo’s life is made all the more personal through the unique point of view. Galileo tells the tale from the house and walled garden he is imprisoned in. Blind and aging, he recalls his childhood and the way that he helped his father with his musical experiments after leaving the university with no degree. He was offered a teaching position in the same university a bit later, but he refused to be traditional and instead wore what he liked and tested Arist...more
This picture book is a biography of Galileo Galilei. He talks about everything that he has accomplished: experiments, inventions, improvements, and discoveries. During his time, Galileo was not well liked for questioning the beliefs that the Catholic Church upheld. Eventually, he is imprisoned in his own house for life.
I really enjoyed this book. I was learning new information without thinking it was a history lesson. I knew that Galileo was a very important influence in science, but I wasn't re...more
I really enjoyed this book. I was learning new information without thinking it was a history lesson. I knew that Galileo was a very important influence in science, but I wasn't re...more
The story of Galileo's life told in first-person as he reminisces in his old age. I loved the painted illustrations. The book has plenty of information in story-book format, but was not terribly long. I stopped reading a few times to answer my 8yo's questions about something in the book, or to briefly explain my own opinions here and there. It gave us a good starting-point for discussion. I like the chronology timeline in the back that includes other things going on in the world along with Galil...more
This picture book biography, told from the viewpoint of an elderly Galileo looking back on his life, sums up his monumental accomplishments. It does a good job of explaining the complicated situation of the Catholic Church’s influence in Renaissance times and how Galileo ran afoul of the Pope. The lovely illustrations have a stained glass feel and contribute well to the story. The back matter was outstanding! Though it is only a 32 page picture book, there is a chronology, lists of experiments a...more
3.5 stars
What an interesting man! As usual, I learned a lot...but I did wonder about the first person narration. (Sources are not clearly listed...but bibliography, websites, timeline and other resources are included in the back matter.) The book was very "readable" and the Galileo's discoveries were significant! Could not believe that it wan't until 1992 that the Catholic Church admitted it was wrong and that Galileo was right--Earth and the planets DO revolve around the sun. Great illustration...more
What an interesting man! As usual, I learned a lot...but I did wonder about the first person narration. (Sources are not clearly listed...but bibliography, websites, timeline and other resources are included in the back matter.) The book was very "readable" and the Galileo's discoveries were significant! Could not believe that it wan't until 1992 that the Catholic Church admitted it was wrong and that Galileo was right--Earth and the planets DO revolve around the sun. Great illustration...more
From behind the walls of his home where he must remain per order of the Pope, an elderly, blind Galileo reflects on his life. His passion for experimentation and the truths to be discovered, led to his confinement as it contradicted the Church's teachings. Colorful illustrations surround the text as Galileo reminisces about his childhood and education, about his experiments and discoveries. Excellent notes-timeline, experiments, discoveries, glossary and bibliography.
This could be a great Battle of the Books choice. It's a simple biography, with enough information in the end notes for reports, that shows just what a genius Galileo was and how full of ups and downs his life was. I didn't know Galileo came up with the ideas for the pendulum clock, the thermometer, the compass, and the microscope as well as the telescope, or that he left college without graduating. Fast, fascinating read.
Great introduction to Galileo. I had mixed feelings about the First Person narrative. It makes you see the world as he saw it, but doesn't sit right for a biography. Calling your own invention "ingenious" sounds obnoxious - someone else calling it "ingenious" is a real compliment.
and really the Catholic Church changed their mind about Galileo in 1992? You have to ponder these things for 400 years or so.
and really the Catholic Church changed their mind about Galileo in 1992? You have to ponder these things for 400 years or so.
This book presents an honest look on the discoveries and the life of Galileo. Bonnie Christensen's illustrations are beautiful, creating a feel for the period, and an atmosphere of discovery and change.
The book includes maps, a chronology, and a list of Galileo's experiments, inventions, and discoveries. A glossary, bibliography and list of websites are also included.
The book includes maps, a chronology, and a list of Galileo's experiments, inventions, and discoveries. A glossary, bibliography and list of websites are also included.
Caoimhe: "What happened to Copernicus?"
Me, checking book, "They put him to death."
Caoimhe: "How?"
Me, checking book,: "They burned him at the stake."
Caoimhe: "What does that even mean?"
Me: "That they put him in a fire."
Caoimhe: "Like a marshmallow?"
Me: "Yes."
Caoimhe: "Because he said the sun was at the center and not the earth?"
Me: "Yes."
Caoimhe: "That's so silly."
Me, checking book, "They put him to death."
Caoimhe: "How?"
Me, checking book,: "They burned him at the stake."
Caoimhe: "What does that even mean?"
Me: "That they put him in a fire."
Caoimhe: "Like a marshmallow?"
Me: "Yes."
Caoimhe: "Because he said the sun was at the center and not the earth?"
Me: "Yes."
Caoimhe: "That's so silly."
A fine picture book biography of Galileo, but despite the first-person narration I didn't feel a real connection with this "father of modern science". I'd recommend Peter Sis's Starry Messenger instead.
PS: The Catholic Church didn't admit that Galileo was right and he shouldn't have been imprisoned until 1992?! Yikes!
PS: The Catholic Church didn't admit that Galileo was right and he shouldn't have been imprisoned until 1992?! Yikes!
Wonderfully informative children's biography about "the father of modern science." Great for any school library for possible biography reports or just for fun. Also fantastic for discussions about how Galileo was treated for his progressive thoughts more than 400 years ago and how different scientists are viewed today.
An incredible and luminous biography picture book that introduces children to the scientist who sacrificed so much for what he believed in. The art in this book is reminiscent of stained glass windows and woodcuts beautifully illustrated. Truly and award candidate.
Another Cybils nonfiction picture book nominee - I have many students that will love this book. The idea of investigating ideas that intrigue you over a period of time - the perseverance Galileo had to have is amazing.
This was a good review of Galileo's life to wrap up our studies. It specifically mentions the Pisa tower experiment, so it was good to read it after Galileo's Leaning Tower Experiement.
Monday, October 15, 2012, Class 4-5 writes . . .
Good book, but more details please! Interesting but could have included more about his life as a scientist. Plain but good. Could have also included more about his life as a child.
Good book, but more details please! Interesting but could have included more about his life as a scientist. Plain but good. Could have also included more about his life as a child.
Handsomely desgined and illustrated, and a good introduction to Galileo but I'm not crazy about a first-person narration by Galileo for a biography.
Interesting first person voice of the this biography, contains a great deal of information. The "woodcut" illustrations are stunning.
Aug 22, 2012
Amy!
marked it as picture-books
My review here
Interesting story with great illustrations about the discoveries and persecutions of Galileo.
The artwork is beautiful, and I enjoyed learning more about the life of Galileo.
Very detailed Galileo biography to be read aloud in secondary science classes.
A good picture book biography of Galileo, but I prefer Peter Sis's Starry Messenger.
Beautifully written and illustrated! Perfect for 3-6 graders.
This is kind of a sad story.
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