| 9780374355135 |
| 0374355134 |
Available:*
Library | Material Type | Call Number | Shelf Location | Status | Item Holds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Searching... East Library | Children's Book | 530.092 NEWT | Children's-J-Biography | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
Searching... East Library | Children's Book | 530.092 NEWT | Children's-J-Biography | Searching... Unknown | Searching... Unavailable |
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Summary
Summary
Famed for his supposed encounter with a falling apple that inspired his theory of gravity, Isaac Newton (1642-1727) grew from a quiet and curious boy into one of the most influential scientists of all time. Newton's Rainbow tells the story of young Isaac--always reading, questioning, observing, and inventing--and how he eventually made his way to Cambridge University, where he studied the work of earlier scientists and began building on their accomplishments. This colorful picture book biography celebrates Newton's discoveries that illuminated the mysteries of gravity, motion, and even rainbows, discoveries that gave mankind a new understanding of the natural world, discoveries that changed science forever.
Author Notes
Kathryn Lasky was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 24, 1944, and knew she wanted to be a writer from the time she was ten. She majored in English in college and after graduation wrote for various magazines and taught. Her first book, I Have Four Names for My Grandfather, was published while she was teaching.
She has written more than seventy books for children and young adults on everything from historical fiction to picture books and nonfiction books including the Dear America books and the Guardians of Ga'Hoole series. Many of her books are illustrated with photographs by her husband, Christopher Knight. She has received many awards for her titles including Sugaring Time which was a Newberry Honor Book; The Night Journey which won the National Jewish Book Award for Children; Pageant which was an ALA Notable Children's book; and Beyond the Burning Time which was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. She has also received the Washington Post's Children's Book Guild Award for her contribution to children's nonfiction. She lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (3)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-5-Lasky introduces young readers to Isaac Newton and a few of his well-known breakthroughs. The book follows Newton from childhood through his college years, including some of his most significant discoveries, such as the theory of gravity and the secret of the rainbow. There is a lot of information to be covered, and the text moves quickly. None of Newton's ideas are explored in depth, but the simplified explanations are appropriate for the audience. Lasky makes Newton accessible to contemporary readers. He was a small kid: he was often bullied and didn't do that well in school. Eventually, he stood up to his bully, proved his abilities, and went on to excel at university. The author points out that it took Newton a long time, with many mistakes made along the way, to develop his theories. A number of interesting anecdotes are peppered throughout; for instance, Newton once got off a horse to walk up a large hill but then forgot about the horse and kept walking long past the top of the hill. There is also a description of the bubonic plague and the London Fire of 1666. Both of these events had a great impact on Newton's life. These stories offer context and add tension, making the narrative more exciting. Hawkes's illustrations provide detail and help set the tone for each episode. VERDICT Budding scientists may gain some insight into this creator's life, and those needing to do a report will find some useful material. A good choice for schools and larger collections.-Laura Stanfield, Campbell County Public Library, Fort Thomas, KY © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Lasky and Hawkes, collaborators on The Man Who Made Time Travel and other titles, provide a sensitive look at Isaac Newton. From an early age, Newton's deep curiosity set him apart, leading him to question, experiment, and study the work of scientists before him (brief profiles of Galileo and Kepler are included). Throughout, Lasky places Newton's story in historical context, weaving in such events as the bubonic plague and Great Fire of 1666. Of the apocryphal apple incident, she writes: "Here is what's true. There was a garden. There was an apple tree. The apple really did fall. Isaac was not asleep." (An explanation of how the apple incident might have contributed to his law of universal gravitation follows.) Hawkes's soft paintings tenderly capture Newton's discipline and the lifelong drive toward discovery. Ages 4-8. (Apr.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
Grabbing the attention of young readers from the get-go, the award-winning duo presents seven chronological vignettes in the life of Isaac Newton. Lasky's appealing narrative zeroes in on Newton's curiosity and hunger to learn about the world characteristics likely to resonate with children today. Young readers will come away with plenty of facts about the scientist, but they also might chuckle at his antics and absentmindedness, like his disastrous shepherding skills or his sneaky use of a gust of wind to help him win a jumping competition. Hawkes' detailed mixed-media depictions include facial expressions aptly capturing Newton's inquisitiveness and incessant preoccupation with the sky. All of his wondering comes to a head when he's stuck at home during London's bubonic plague, and the isolation gives him an opportunity to formulate some of his most iconic theories, such as his discovery of the rainbow spectrum of visible light. Relatively dense text makes this better suited for more advanced readers, but younger inquiring minds could be equally delighted by listening to this genial biography read out loud.--Lock, Anita Copyright 2017 Booklist
