This book by one of my favorite children's authors is a visual feast of intricate drawings and details on the life of Galileo Galilei. Sis incorporates primary and secondary sources in sharing sometimes very difficult to understand knowledge on the life of Galilei with fluid and detailed drawings. My personal favorite part of the book was incorporating the physical layout of the book into a visceral learning experience by moving the book in a circle to read the inscriptions, hunting for key characters in pictures, and the symbolism in his unique drawing elements. The author does an amazing job of incorporating Galileo's real writings into a fun and interactive book that can engage children's imaginations while also teaching them a good bit of science! ( )

A dreamlike book that captures perfectly the starry eyed drreamer that was Galileo Galilei, the story traces his life from birth to death and is full of interesting facts and information. I found myself wanting to know more once the book was over. ( )

The science and history and art are impeccable, both clearly told and beautiful for children and resonant and beautiful for adults. ( )

ABC Children's Booksellers Choices Award Winner 1997 Biography United States
Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children Recommended Title 1997
Caldecott Honor Book 1997 ( )

Carolyn Phelan (Booklist, October 15, 1996 (Vol. 93, No. 4))
Sis celebrates the life, ideas, and genius of Galileo in a picture book that achieves a brilliance of its own. Relating events in Galileo's life, the book offers a sense of the world in which he lived and makes readers understand why his work was dangerous to the church and ultimately to himself. Large, beautiful drawings reflect the ideas, events, books, maps, world view, and symbolism of the times. These intricate ink drawings, idiosyncratic in concept and beautifully tinted with delicate watercolor washes, are complemented by smaller drawings and prints that illustrate a side-text of significant dates, time lines, quotations, comments, and explanations. These are printed in cursive and sometimes in serpentine or circular shapes that force the reader to turn the book around to make out the words. Without a doubt, this unusual picture book will attract an audience of adults who appreciate the art of Sis as well as the legacy of Galileo. The questions of whether children will be drawn to the book and what they will take away are more problematic, since the text and illustrations will be more rewarding for a reader who already has some knowledge of Galileo and the period. Still, those drawn to the book will find that it works on many levels, offering not just facts but intuitive visions of another world. An original. Category: Middle Readers. 1996, Farrar/Frances Foster, $16. Gr. 4-6. Starred Review.

Awards, Honors, Prizes:
ABC Children's Booksellers Choices Award Winner 1997 Biography United States
Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children Recommended Title 1997 United States
Randolph Caldecott Medal Honor Book 1997 United States ( )