In 1492 - Softcover

Jean Marzollo

Softcover

ISBN 10: 059044414X ISBN 13: 9780590444149

Publisher: Scholastic Inc., 1948

Synopsis

Rhyming text describes Christopher Columbus's first voyage to the New World.

About this title

About the Author:

Jean Marzollo has written many award-winning children’s books, including the acclaimed I Spy series and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARTIN LUTHER KING. Jean lives with her husband, Claudio, in New York State’s Hudson Valley.

Steve Bjorkman is the celebrated illustrator of numerous books for children, including Jeff Foxworthy's New York Times bestsellering picture books DIRT ON MY SHIRT and SILLY STREET, as well as EMIILY'S EVERYDAY MANNERS by Cindy Post Senning and Peggy Post, and Jay McGraw's LIFE STRATEGIES FOR DEALING WITH BULLIES. He lives with his wife in California. SPLIT! SPLAT! is his first book with Scholastic Press.

From Publishers Weekly:

Thanks to the popular singsong verse "In fourteen hundred ninety-two / Columbus sailed the ocean blue," the year in which Christopher Columbus weighed anchor may be history's best remembered date. Marzollo ( Pretend You're a Cat ) has expanded the ditty to include some basic details about the man and his voyage--"He sailed by night; he sailed by day; / He used the stars to find his way. / A compass also helped him know / How to find the way to go." The tale is surprisingly clear and complete, despite the brief and simple text. And it even manages to be "correct," both politically (" 'Indians! Indians!' Columbus cried; / His heart was filled with joyful pride. / But "India" the land was not; / It was the Bahamas, and it was hot") and historically ("The first American? No, not quite. / But Columbus was brave, and he was bright"). Only the names of Columbus's three ships--musical themselves--are missing. Bjorkman's lighthearted illustrations are top-notch--his oceanscapes are suitably sweeping, his ships imposing, his characters endearing in their naivete. (Some of his watercolors seem to pay homage to those of Edward Ardizzone.) This engrossing introduction to history for young children is a standout in the spate of books being produced to honor the 500th anniversary of the landmark voyage. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
• Publication date: 1948
• ISBN 10: 059044414X
• ISBN 13: 9780590444149
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Steve Bjorkman