Picture book of the week

Magellan's World by Stuart Waldman, illustrated by Gregory Manchess
October 2007, Mikaya Press, 48 pages. Hardcover.
ISBN: 193141419X

I will never hear Magellan's name again without having my mind refer back to this beautiful picture book. Text and illustrations combined left me feeling as if I had gone around the world with him--or almost around the world, as of course he never did finish the voyage himself. Author Stuart Waldman refrains from the usual political correct tendencies and is respectful albeit realistic as he recounts the historical trip that changed the world map for ever.

The maps in the book add enormously to the understanding of the story--most especially the one depicting the intricacies of the Strait of Magellan, which I had never seen so clearly, yet simply, drawn. The first page is a foldout map that can be left open to serve as a guide to the text on each page.

Although this is a picture book, watch out for more sensitive young children as you read aloud-- you may need to skip some of the more cruel ways with which people were treated. For a middle schooler studying the great explorers, Magellan's World will come in very, very handy.