Grolier Student Library of Explorers and Exploration

10 Volume Library Book Set.

Grade 4-8-This lavishly illustrated set provides an overview of exploration, beginning with the travels of humans' distant ancestors-hominids-and extending to 20th-century space and underwater journeys. Each volume examines a region, with chapters devoted to specific time periods, geographic areas, and groups of expeditions. Topics and personalities such as the Vikings, Christopher Columbus, the quest for a Northwest Passage, Charles Darwin, pioneers of the West, and the location of the Titanic are described in a clear and lively manner. Fact boxes containing supplementary material are interspersed throughout. Unfortunately, this tool lacks cohesion and does not provide comprehensive coverage. The writing style is reminiscent of a series of stories; as a result, the set does not have the authoritative structure and objective approach that are primary characteristics of reference books. Also, an ambiguous organizational scheme detracts from the presentation. For example, while each volume boasts an introductory note that briefly explains its theme and chapter arrangement, vital data such as the purpose and scope of the set and the criteria for the inclusion and exclusion of material is absent. There is an abundance of visual aids such as color photos, drawings, and relief maps. However pictorial matter often overlaps, captions are not well positioned, and the overall cluttered appearance confounds, rather than enlightens, readers. Explorers and Discoverers (UXL, 1995) does a better job of placing explorers in their appropriate historical context and includes relevant maps and illustrations.
Hillary Jan Donitz-Goldstein, New York Public Library
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.