This has been my go to gift for young biologists and curious kids- a huge hit. Beautiful illustrations allow for kids of different ages to read with their parents, but the content and story allows for older ones to engage in and learn about this incredible journey. A must have for any family that wants to inspire and support their children's passion for ecology, wildlife, and the history of science!

If you want an accurate and uplifting examination of Darwin's famous voyage to the Galapagos, read Alan Hesse's illustrated story. Hesse is an astute scientist-artist (with a hilarious sense of humor), and he uses his gifts to animate Darwin's life and theory. Whether you are 15 or 75 or somewhere in between, read this book to grasp how perceptions of the human condition were forever altered due to young Darwin's observations. Hesse's book should be in every library and science department.

Charles Darwin and the Theory of Natural Selection by Alan J. Hesse is a graphic history or comic book version of how and why Charles Darwin, a devoutly religious man, came up with his theory of how physical and behavioral traits change over time and are affected by the environment. Hesse has chosen to show some of Charles Darwin’s experiments, like turning tortoises over and seeing if they can turn themselves right side up. Some can and some can’t. He also drew a picture of Charles Darwin trying to ride on the back of a 200lb tortoise that threw him off like a bucking bronco. Alan J. Hesse not only wrote this informative book, but he also drew the artwork. 

Usually, Charles Darwin is pictured as a serious old man. I enjoyed seeing these pictures of him as a playful young man. He tossed lizards he found on the shore into the ocean to see what they’d do. Spoiler alert: they came back up on land. He played with tortoises. He measured rocks. He forgot to write down the locations of all of his experiments but, fortunately, his cabin boy did. Hesse has made excellent use of his informal style to explain Darwin’s controversial theory to young readers. Darwin believed that part of the perfection of God’s creation is the ability of creatures to change in order to survive. Yes, Darwin believed in God and supported the church. I think Charles Darwin and the Theory of Natural Selection will help increase young readers' understanding of what evolution and survival of the fittest truly means.

Terrific book! Beautifully illustrated, terrific storytelling, lots to make you smile as you read this. Very engaging book for kids and adults alike.