Seriously just read this book, okay? It is awesome!
The highlighted history of Niagara Falls comes to life with the voice of the falls itself in this picture book by Brenda Z. Guiberson. Poetic and straight forward, this book is a must to have for science classes, history classes and for environmental studies.
The title of Yours ‘Til Niagra Falls might be one of the oldest jokes in the book, but dang it! This time it is worth it and more! This story is told from the point of view of the Falls themselves. However, it starts millions of years before the Falls was the Falls. Back when ice still covered the area before it was a waterfall and was an ocean. It follows from the days the ice started to melt, to the first people, to the 1600s and a priest, to the first female daredevil, how it was part of the underground railroad, and right to today. You see how people have used, even abused, studied and more this natural landmark. The story ends with today. Many misconceptions and facts come to light.
William Low has blown the illustrations out of the water. They are bright, and strong, but are soft to the eyes. They show the changes, from the start of the waterfall to the Maiden of the Mist and far beyond. There are extra gems on most pages, giving more than the text, while complimenting it at the same time. They are lovely to view, the text is great to read.
While aimed at an older audience (at least five and up) this can work for all ages, as you can adapt just “reading” illustrations as well as reading to, and a solo read for the seven to eight. The picture book format might turn off some of the older readers, but it really is worth it.
Due late June/early July 2022.
