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roseleaf24's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful book about the journey of Lewis and Clark, from the viewpoint of Sacagawea's son in his cradleboard on her back. The pattern of animals and their sounds making an imprint on Jean Baptiste was lovely.
hello_sunshine's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful illustrations, rhythmic text, informational story. Would be a great teaching supplement. Loved it!
bookjockeybeth's review against another edition
4.0
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 the details of onomatopoeia and visual perspective that Napoli and Madsen have used to invoke the sense of exploration inherent in the subject. Accurate portrayal of the different Native American tribes encountered throughout the journey is a true highlight of this book. Madsen has clearly conducted the research necessary to make sure children are able to understand the differences between tribes. Together, Napoli and Madsen have created one of the best children’s books about Sacagawea and her son. Highly Recommended.
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 the details of onomatopoeia and visual perspective that Napoli and Madsen have used to invoke the sense of exploration inherent in the subject. Accurate portrayal of the different Native American tribes encountered throughout the journey is a true highlight of this book. Madsen has clearly conducted the research necessary to make sure children are able to understand the differences between tribes. Together, Napoli and Madsen have created one of the best children’s books about Sacagawea and her son. Highly Recommended.
sonotnic's review against another edition
4.0
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.
mnboyer's review against another edition
3.0
I always have a hard time rating children's books, but my task is especially more complicated when those books deal with American Indian peoples. In this case, if you're rating this book entirely on the gorgeous illustrations then a 5-star review would be in order. If you're rating this book entirely on the dialog, then I think a 4-star rating would be in order. Where my rating of this book becomes complicated is in its depiction of American Indian peoples and, unfortunately, the questions the story leaves open-ended.
Yes, this is a children's book, so perhaps it is not the best place to discuss whether or not Sacagawea wanted to be a participant in the Lewis and Clark expedition. It may not be the place to delve into whether or not Sacagawea wanted to wed Toussaint Charbonneau (based on the fact she was sold to Charbonneau, I'd say not -- there's some significant discussion about this elsewhere). I mean, we're still arguing about how to spell Sacagawea's name, after all. So as you can imagine, the children's book doesn't delve into a lot of the more complex issues of the Lewis and Clark expedition. It even gets to a point where they say that Charbonneau and Sacagawea "adopt" a sibling for Jean-Baptiste (who is relaying the story to us). Yeah, they really just skim over this... which is problematic for me because it is likely that Charbonneau purchased this child just as he had purchased Sacagawea.
So, while this book is offering a new perspective, and while I do appreciate that authors in the children's literature realm are working to include American Indian peoples and stories in the genre... there are still problems with these stories. This one has great illustrations, the story itself is interesting, but it still skims over a lot of problematic representations of American Indian peoples.
Yes, this is a children's book, so perhaps it is not the best place to discuss whether or not Sacagawea wanted to be a participant in the Lewis and Clark expedition. It may not be the place to delve into whether or not Sacagawea wanted to wed Toussaint Charbonneau (based on the fact she was sold to Charbonneau, I'd say not -- there's some significant discussion about this elsewhere). I mean, we're still arguing about how to spell Sacagawea's name, after all. So as you can imagine, the children's book doesn't delve into a lot of the more complex issues of the Lewis and Clark expedition. It even gets to a point where they say that Charbonneau and Sacagawea "adopt" a sibling for Jean-Baptiste (who is relaying the story to us). Yeah, they really just skim over this... which is problematic for me because it is likely that Charbonneau purchased this child just as he had purchased Sacagawea.
So, while this book is offering a new perspective, and while I do appreciate that authors in the children's literature realm are working to include American Indian peoples and stories in the genre... there are still problems with these stories. This one has great illustrations, the story itself is interesting, but it still skims over a lot of problematic representations of American Indian peoples.
kahale's review against another edition
4.0
A delightful story of the journey of Sacagawea, Lewis and Clark through the eyes of her baby. Very poetic. Beautiful illustrations
booksandbosox's review
2.0
http://librarianosnark.blogspot.com/2012/04/picture-book-saturday-12.html
beecheralyson's review against another edition
3.0
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
tashrow's review
4.0
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.
Napoli’s verse incorporates many senses. There are the sounds of the animals and humans that work to bring the entire setting to life. There are the views that the baby sees, a wildness that is a large part of the story, a sense of expanse and freedom. The author’s note adds much to the book, including the duration and length of the journey.
Madsen’s illustrations have a depth to them that adds much to this title. He uses deep colors and uses the beauty of the land as the perfect inspiration for his work. There are small moments of a child growing from infant to toddler, but also moments where the world is spread before them and reveled in.
A beautiful and creative look at Sacagawea’s journey with Lewis and Clark, this book is a luminous look at the origins of our country. Appropriate for ages 5-7.
Napoli’s verse incorporates many senses. There are the sounds of the animals and humans that work to bring the entire setting to life. There are the views that the baby sees, a wildness that is a large part of the story, a sense of expanse and freedom. The author’s note adds much to the book, including the duration and length of the journey.
Madsen’s illustrations have a depth to them that adds much to this title. He uses deep colors and uses the beauty of the land as the perfect inspiration for his work. There are small moments of a child growing from infant to toddler, but also moments where the world is spread before them and reveled in.
A beautiful and creative look at Sacagawea’s journey with Lewis and Clark, this book is a luminous look at the origins of our country. Appropriate for ages 5-7.
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review
3.0
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.
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