Close Up and Far Out

Gr 3-6–The impressive scientific discoveries of Galileo Galilei and Antonie van Leeuwenhoeck are laid out for young readers to comprehend and learn from in this stunning visual display of knowledge. Galileo is inspired to study the farthest mysteries in space whereas van Leeuwenhoeck is compelled to discover the closer view of the smallest forms of life. While they had differing areas of interest, their paths toward discovery have intriguing parallels and intersections. The journeys of the two natural philosophers are made in side-by-side comparisons with mirroring sentence structures and complementary images, making the text an excellent resource for informed discussions of their legacies. The illustrations of intricate scientific concepts, such as the structure of glass lens, prove to be simple enough for young readers to understand while still being technically accurate and model the scale of both scientists’ discoveries, to which words cannot do justice. No references are cited for where aspiring scientists can continue their research.