Columbus

Gr 3–6—From his childhood in Italy to his death in Spain, this biography presents a detailed view of the explorer's life. The text is readable but lengthy; several direct quotations are included, with sources listed in an author's note. Columbus's faults and accomplishments are both presented, acknowledging that his drive to explore furthered Europeans' knowledge of other lands, but that his mistreatment of Native peoples devastated their lives and culture. To create rich visual images, Demi utilized Chinese paint and inks, gold overlays, and Italian marbled paper. Each stylized, single- or two-page painting is enclosed in a decorative frame and set on parchment color paper. Ferdinand and Isabella's throne room is full of sumptuous texture, while a storm at sea is a mass of swirling shape and color. The Native people are depicted as naked but without physical features. As with her earlier works, Demi's art commands attention.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA