PICTURE BOOK REVIEW: Away with Words by Lori Mortensen
ABOUT THE BOOK
"Isabella Bird was like a wild vine stuck in a too-small pot. She needed more room. She had to get out. She had to explore."
Exploring was easier said than done in Victorian England. But Isabella persisted, and with each journey, she breathed in new ways to see and describe everything around her. Question by question, word by word, Isabella bloomed. First, out in the English countryside. Then, off to America and Canada. And eventually, around the world, to Africa, Asia, Australia, and more.
This dashing picture book biography about the first female member of the Royal Geographic Society takes readers around the world with a daring nineteenth-century female explorer and author. Kristy Caldwell's detailed illustrations illuminate Bird's travels around the world, and Lori Mortensen's back matter, author's note, and bibliography will satisfy the curiosity of readers who want to learn more.
REVIEW
I really enjoyed this well-told tale of the adventures of Isabella Bird. Born in 1831, Isabella had health problems from a young age. Despite multiple doctor's visits, no diagnosis could be made. Isabella's life changed forever though when one of the doctor's suggested she get more fresh air. Her father started taking her with him when he traveled through the countryside visiting his parishioners. He taught her the names of the plants and animals they saw along the way and then he'd quiz her about it. Isabella thrived for a while. She especially enjoyed reading letters from friends and relatives far away. Her health deteriorated again though when she became a young lady and her outside trips diminished. Her doctor recommended a sea voyage and Isabella set out on her first big adventure. She detailed her trips in journals and wrote books after each trip. Her books became bestsellers. Except for a couple of times when other life events got in the way, Isabella spent many years traveling all over the world. I found this book compelling as I read about Isabella's numerous trips, some of them shared in her own descriptive words. The illustrations are bright, crisp, and attractive. I was delighted to read about a woman who loved exploring as much as I do (although I'm much more of an armchair explorer). This is a delightful account of a woman who, despite some struggles with societies expectations, found her love of adventure and let it take her on some amazing journeys.
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