Close Up and Far Out
Seeing the World Differently
story by Mary Auld and Adria Meserve
illustrations by Adria Meserve
Creative Editions, 2024. 40 pages.
Review written September 30, 2024, from a book sent to me by the publisher.
Starred Review
This is a nonfiction picture book featuring Galileo Galilei, born in 1564, and Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, born in 1632. What the two men had in common was they both revolutionized science by making lenses that revealed wonders people had never seen before. Galileo made telescopes that enabled people to view the wonders of the heavens, and Antonie made microscopes that showed people the wonders of bacteria.
I like the way the authors tell about the lives in parallel – first getting the idea, then making and perfecting the lenses, then discovering amazing things, then trying to convince others and being met with skepticism. Eventually, Galileo was brought to trial for his ideas, but Antonie gained scientific acceptance. Still, this line at the end points out a contrast:
Antonie died famous and is now almost forgotten; Galileo died in disgrace but is now one of those most famous scientists that ever lived. But both men have changed how we understand the world.
The book ends with lists of things that were discovered because of each man’s work, and then these words of wisdom:
Both Antonie and Galileo remind us to ask questions, to look close up and far out for the answers, to question what we find again and again – and to be brave enough to think differently.
This large and lovely book tells an interesting story, but also gives insight onto how scientific discovery can work.
Find this review on Sonderbooks at: www.sonderbooks.com/Childrens_Nonfiction/close_up_and_far_out.html
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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.
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