Galileo

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

A companion volume to Fisher's Prince Henry the Navigator , this uncommon illustrated biography captures and communicates the complex life of this world-changing scientist. The fact-filled yet graceful narrative places Galileo within the continuum of scientific inquiry even as it reveals considerable information about his valuable discoveries. Readers learn that when Galileo proved and promulgated the veracity of Copernicus's theory the earth is not the center of the universe, he met with stiff religious opposition in the person of Pope Paul V. The scientist's forced recantation before the Inquisition is discussed, as is the impact of his later writings on future work by Newton. The black-and-gray pages throughout--coupled with textured, chiaroscuro acrylic paintings--give the book a distinctive look while emphasizing the story's dramatic elements. Ages 7-11. May

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5-- A picture-book biography of a colorful figure in the history of science. Fisher emphasizes the multiplicity of Galileo's accomplishments--he built a microscope and other devices; studied motion, specific gravity, and magnetism; made famous astronomical observations; and insisted that ideas must be proven by tests. The author shows how foolish the Catholic Church looked coming down so hard on Galileo, and taking centuries to relent. Fisher's big black-and-gray tableaus add plenty of drama to the simply told story; human figures with grave expressions loom or crowd together, eyes downcast, gesturing magisterially. Readers in search of more detail, or those who find the several pages of white-on-black text hard on their eyes, can look for Vicki Cobb's Truth on Trial Coward, 1979; o.p.. --John Peters, New York Public Library