Kids' book picks: 'Dirty Gert'
Published: Friday, May 17, 2013 at 3:15 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 7:39 p.m.
“Dirty Gert” by Tedd Arnold. Little Gert loves to play in the dirt so much that she turns into a tree.
“Darwin: A Graphic Biography” by Eugene Byrne and Simon Gurr. Presenting Darwin's life in a smart and entertaining graphic novel, “Darwin: A Graphic Biography” attempts to not only educate the reader about Darwin but also the scientific world of the 1800s. Darwin's life presented in this form is an inspirational tale for everyone. Readers will be sure to identify with a curious young Darwin finding his way on youthful adventures in the fields near his house. The ups, downs and near-misses of Darwin's youth are portrayed honestly and without foreshadowing of his later fame. This is a key point for younger readers: that Darwin wasn't somehow predestined to greatness. He was curious, patient and meticulous. He persevered — a valuable lesson about what science is all about.