Illus. in full color. Youngsters can celebrate the 500th anniversary of Columbus's fateful voyage with this dramatic, easy-to-read account of a pivotal moment in American history. "

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3-- Describing Columbus's first voyage, Krensky writes inthe present tense and asks a number of questions, such as "What ifthe wind stops blowing?" to make readers aware of the reasons forthe sailors' fears and of Columbus's courage in attempting thetrip. He includes some facts about the crew and shipboard life. Thewriting is clear and objective, with no fictionalization. It isless choppy than many beginning readers, but is easy enough for theintended audience. Green's watercolor illustrations include mapsshowing the world of 1492 and that of today. Unfortunately some ofthe colors are poorly reproduced, so that the Indians and severalof the Spaniards appear to have blue hair. Vicki Liestman'sColumbus Day (Carolrhoda, 1991) contains more information about thereasons for the voyage and the Spaniards' treatment of the Indians.Krensky's book adds little that is new to the growing body of booksabout Columbus, but it is an acceptable purchase for collections inwhich there is a demand for easy biographies. --Jean H. Zimmerman,Willett School, South River, NJ
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.