FICTION

Etty Darwin and the Four ­Pebble Problem

by Lauren Soloy
Tundra. May 2021. 48p. Tr $18.99. ISBN 9780735266087.
COPY ISBN
K-Gr 3–In this sweet story of father and child discovery, Charles Darwin and his daughter Etty go for long walks and contemplate scientific inquiry, nature, and fairies. Vividly colored and textured digital illustrations with richly detailed outdoor landscapes supplement a simple text of the pair’s conversations in a mix of full-page spreads and smaller boxes. Etty desperately wants to believe that fairies exist, while Darwin largely listens and points out natural phenomena, playing a supportive father. The text is a mix of dialogue and short narration that asks thoughtful questions but does not overpower the book’s art. With the myriad details in Soloy’s illustrations, this gentle, contemplative title may be best suited to small groups for sharing.
VERDICT While the characters are based on a historical figure and his daughter Henrietta, who did write fairy stories, the details are all imagined. For larger collections.
Reviewed by Kelsey Socha, Westfield Athenaeum, Westfield, MA , Jul 01, 2021

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