The Voyage of the Beetle: A Journey Around the World with Charles Darwin and the Search for the Solution to the Mystery of Mysteries, as Narrate

by Anne H. Weaver

Book Overview

Why are there so many different kinds, or species, of living things on earth, each uniquely fitted to its environment? For Charles Darwin, this question represented the "mystery of mysteries." Darwin first began to formulate an answer during a youthful voyage around the world on the H.M.S. Beagle from 1831 to 1835. Darwin's answer, known as the Theory of Natural Selection, changed the way we think about life on earth.

In a clever...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 082634304X
• ISBN13: 9780826343048
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: University of New Mexico Press
• Length: 80 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.4" x 10.3"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

The Voyage of the.... Beetle?

As we celebrate the legacy of Charles Darwin's life and work this week (Feb 12, 2009), I find it important to share an important discovery made by Darwin scholars. Small scraps of paper found inserted into several pages of Darwin's _Beagle_ diary, apparently having been removed and lost, have resurfaced in an archive. Eight scraps in all and placed in an envelope, each one contains a written "clue," such as "Every living organism is unique. Individuals vary, even within the same species." Even more exciting is a note from Darwin in the same envelope: "These clues to the mystery of mysteries were given me by Rosie, a friend who accompanied me on the voyage of the Beagle." As much as we credit Darwin for the theory of evolution by natural selection, developed over decades through keen observation, tedious studies, and curious experiments, it appears that Darwin received much insipiration for his ideas from someone else. And of all people, or creatures, rather, this someone else was a beetle! Rosie was a rose chaffer beetle, and Darwin was very fond of her. Of course, everything I've written here so far is nonsense - if you think I am telling you something about the real world. But what about a children's book? There are numerous books about Darwin for children, many revolving around the voyage of the _Beagle_. Unfortunately I have not read very many of them, nor was I aware of Darwin when I was a child (I read my first book about Darwin as a senior in high school - in 1996). I have seen other children's books about Darwin over the last few years, however, and I am going to make a leap here and say that _The Voyage of the Beetle: A Journey around the World with Charles Darwin and the Search for the Solution to the Mystery of Mysteries, as Narrated by Rosie, an Articulate Beetle_, by Anne Weaver and illustrated by George Lawrence, is one of the most attractive and effective in teaching about natural selection. Concise (and not long-winded as is the title), and wonderfully illustrated and formatted, _The Voyage of the Beetle_ was a delight to read - and I am glad to have it on my shelf for when my son is older. What I really enjoyed about this telling of Darwin's life is the attention to detail that Weaver, an anthropologist, employs while fashioning a fanciful tale about Darwin's thought process concerning "that mystery of mysteries" - the mutability of species. When Darwin first meets Rosie under a rock, he was on his way to see Professor Henslow, Darwin's mentor at Cambridge University and influential in Darwin's getting the chance to sail on H.M.S. _Beagle_. Rosie prefers to call Darwin "Charles," rather than the nickname of "Gas" he received because of his interest in chemical experiments as a teenager (see note 1). We learn about Darwin's initial plans to be in the clergy so he could devote time to "follow his true passion: the investigation of the natural world." We learn that Darwin was not only an adventurer in the traditional sense, bu

Darwin for kids!

I began reading this wonderful book the day I brought it home and was so excited by it that I finished it the very next day. I love it, and in so many dimensions. I think it is wonderfully evocative of Darwin's close attention to the wide range of natural phenomenon which he encountered and his willingness to put it all together in such an innovative way - but only when nature thrust itself into his vision (thus, the ingenious use of clues from Rosie, Darwin's imaginary beetle friend). In my passion for all things Galapagos (I have been there more than once), I read the Voyage of the Beagle a couple of years ago, and this book reminded me vividly of some of the most fascinating and memorable parts of his voyage. I also love the book because I have an interest in writing for children, and appreciate how this rich and scientifically sound text makes the concepts of evolution so very approachable and inviting to this audience. I think there is a paucity of books for children related to the Galapagos and Darwin and, given the increasing number of tourists with children going to the islands, I think this book should be recommended reading for families headed for Ecuador.

My child's favorite!

We received this book around Thanksgiving and cannot stop reading it! My son's interest in science has only increased since reading this book and we both adore the illustrations. I hope for more young adult literature from this author!

What a wondrous journey!!!!

Traveling the globe with Charles Darwin and his beetle companion Rosie, the reader joins them in an adventure that evokes wonder and curiosity. The friendly narrative and vibrant illustrations guide us along a rich educational experience. As we become detectives and join Darwin in his search for clues we also learn about geography, the animal world, history, and finally the theory of natural selection. This refreshing book is a must for all young people and adults curious about the mysteries of life!

An exciting voyage for all ages!

This is an engaging story of the incredible voyage of Charles Darwin that is both adventure story and a fresh look at the world around us. At first blush it is a humorous account of a wise beetle leading the enthusiastic Darwin from discovery to discovery, describing key encounters in his 5-year voyage. But it also leads the reader to consider one of the great scientific theories of our time - how things come to be through natural selection. The clever use of Rosie keeps the pace light and accessible to many age levels without sacrificing intellectual integrity. Lawrence's lush illustrations are beautiful and Weaver's affectionate presentation of Darwin reveal the human side of Charles with a rich factual background. A very engaging read!