Mr Darwin’s Tortoise is a stunning hardback picture book which introduces young readers to naturalist, geologist and biologist Charles Darwin as he travels around the world aboard The Beagle with this story focussing on his exploration of the Galápagos Islands through a fictional encounter with a young boy with an enquiring mind akin to Darwin’s own.
A young boy, Antonio, lives on the Galápagos Islands. He enjoys exploring the island and has a natural curiosity about the wonderfully diverse environment that surrounds him, including the wildlife that lives there. Eager to learn, he is full of questions about the island which his parents try to satisfy.
One day, as he is waiting for tortoise eggs to hatch, he meets a stranger who is just as keen to ask questions as Antonio. When Mr Darwin reveals that he is interested in everything, Antonio offers to show him around the island, a home that he clearly feels proud to live on. As they explore the island, they watch giant tortoises and lizards. In return for showing him the island, Mr Darwin invites Antonio aboard his ship, The Beagle, where he shares with him the items he has collected on his travels including fossils and beetles. When it is time for Darwin to leave, Antonia gives him a special and precious gift.
This book is perfect to share with younger children in Key Stage 1, as it has a warm and informative tone, but would also be a great introduction to Darwin’s theory of evolution for older children in Key Stage 2.
I loved that this book celebrates the importance of asking questions in order to learn new things, and loved how eager Antonio is to learn more about the wildlife of the island where he lives as well as sharing his knowledge with Darwin. I can absolutely imagine readers wanting to find out more both about the natural wonders of the islands as well as Darwin’s theory of evolution after enjoying this story.
The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous – bright and vibrant – and celebrate the diversity and beauty of the Galápagos Islands perfectly. The book also includes a stunning double page spread of illustrations of some of the flora and fauna which live on the islands. Together with the story, these will encourage awe and wonder, and an inquisitiveness to learn more, in young readers.
An absolutely stunning picture book for young readers of 5+ celebrating the awe and wonder of the natural world and encouraging them to become explorers of a wonderfully diverse environment.
Thank you to Laura Smythe PR and Zephyr Books for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
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