Uncommon Traveler : Mary Kingsley in Africa

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Summary: Uncommon Traveler Review by Emma Lunsford
Review: Uncommon Traveler is a glimpse into the life of Mary Kingsley. The book takes us from her lonely childhood to her adventurous travels in Africa. The author, Don Brown, paints a vivid portrait of what it is like to follow your dreams.
Don Brown is a professional illustrator. His first book, Ruth Law Thrills A Nation, was a Reading Rainbow feature selection. In Uncommon Traveler, he accomplishes the goal of explaining that it is possible to achieve your dreams, no matter what obstacles you might face. He does this in a very imaginative, but effective way.
Mary Kingsley is a character that gives us all hope. She has a difficult childhood, but she is complacent with her life. She says: "I had a great, amusing world of my own: the books in Father's library". This sets the tone for the book and her life.
Don Brown is considered to be a pacesetter in writing storyographies. Uncommon Traveler is an uncommon children's book. I think he hits the mark with this one.



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Summary: Another winner by Don Brown
Review: Don Brown, author and illustrator of "Uncommon Traveler," excels at the non-fiction picture book. In his newest, he's told and illustrated the tale of Mary Kingsley, a single woman who traveled Africa alone in the late 18OO's. He makes good use of lively quotes from her journals, and keeps the tale to just the liveliest parts--Mary swimming with hippos, canoing with crocodiles, and falling into animal traps. He also lets kids know about her lonely childhood, how she took care of her invalid mother, and of her freedom at 30 from family responsibilities--the time when her adventures began. This book is good for everyone, but would be particularly useful for teachers and libraries, interested in sharing non-fiction stories about adventurous girls. The art in the book is distinctive and the prose style clean and lively. I also enjoyed Don Brown's"Rare Treasure: Mary Anning and Her Remarkable Discoveries," about a girl-fossil hunter, one of the best fossil-hunters ever.

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Summary: Travel With a Remarkable Woman.....
Review: In 1892, at the age of thirty, Mary Kingsley's parents died, and for the first time in her life Mary was free to do whatever she wanted. Her childhood had been bleak and solitary. She was completely housebound. Mary never went to school or played with other children. Her father traveled all over the world and was rarely home, and she spent all her time keeping house and nursing her sick and bedridden mother. But this spirited girl made a life for herself in her father's library. "Books were her companions and teachers." So, after her parent's death, and inspired by the travel and adventure books she loved, Mary did what was considered unthinkable for a proper lady of Victorian England, she set off alone to visit mysterious and dangerous West Africa..... Don Brown has chronicled the life and wonderful adventures of Mary Kingsley in his introductory picture-book biography. His straightforward and engaging text is full of history, drama, humor, and Mary's own words, and complemented by charming, evocative watercolor artwork. Together word and art tell a fascinating and entertaining story of a remarkable and clever woman who took charge of her life and never looked back. Mr Brown includes an author's note at the end to enhance and complete the story, and a bibliography of additional books about Ms Kingsley and her amazing African excursions. Perfect for youngsters 5-9, Uncommon Traveler is a simple, yet spellbinding masterpiece you don't want to miss.

Rating:
Summary: Travel With a Remarkable Woman.....
Review: In 1892, at the age of thirty, Mary Kingsley's parents died, and for the first time in her life Mary was free to do whatever she wanted. Her childhood had been bleak and solitary. She was completely housebound. Mary never went to school or played with other children. Her father traveled all over the world and was rarely home, and she spent all her time keeping house and nursing her sick and bedridden mother. But this spirited girl made a life for herself in her father's library. "Books were her companions and teachers." So, after her parent's death, and inspired by the travel and adventure books she loved, Mary did what was considered unthinkable for a proper lady of Victorian England, she set off alone to visit mysterious and dangerous West Africa..... Don Brown has chronicled the life and wonderful adventures of Mary Kingsley in his introductory picture-book biography. His straightforward and engaging text is full of history, drama, humor, and Mary's own words, and complemented by charming, evocative watercolor artwork. Together word and art tell a fascinating and entertaining story of a remarkable and clever woman who took charge of her life and never looked back. Mr Brown includes an author's note at the end to enhance and complete the story, and a bibliography of additional books about Ms Kingsley and her amazing African excursions. Perfect for youngsters 5-9, Uncommon Traveler is a simple, yet spellbinding masterpiece you don't want to miss.

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Summary: Mary Kingsley and her adventures.
Review: The beginning of this book looks rather gloomy for Mary, eventhough she seems quite happy while she performs all of her many duties. "Mary's narrow life as handyman, nursemaid, servant, and aide went on for days, for weeks, for years" (Brown). After the death of her parents Mary was free to travel. She had been "inspired by her father's journeys and the travel books she loved" this inspired her to travel to West Africa (Brown). She saw and participated in many different things during her trip. Once she returned from Africa she wrote about her journey and shared it with others. This children's picture book is an excellent source for libraries to have. Children can read about the different culture and adventures that Mary experienced.

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Summary: Uncommon Traveler Mary Kingsley in Africa: an inspiring book
Review: This book written by Don Brown is a wonderful children's book. In this story, set in 1870, Mary Kingsley uses her childhood to motivate her travels to Africa. Mary begins the story as a child, who is taking care of her ill mother. Her father travels a lot, and is rarely home. Although Mary never attended school she loves to read and uses this to escape. Mary, now an adult travels to Africa which was a big accomplishment for a woman at that time. The book tells some of her experiences in Africa. Without revealing what happens at the end, I will tell you that Mary has many experiences in this children's book. She takes the reader through her life. The illustrations in the book help the reader visualize Mary's life. This is not my favorite children's book, but I would highly recommend this book to any parent or child. It kept my interest and it is sure to keep yours.

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Summary: Who would have thought?
Review: Those who know Mary Kingsley probably never thought there would be a children's book about her, but why not? Her classic "Travels in West Africa" is still in print after over 100 years, and deservedly so (please see my review). This is a fine book for children, especially because its true-life Victorian heroine did something that most modern people wouldn't do, i.e., she traveled, on her own, though mostly unexplored Africa (Gabon to be precise), and afterwards became a very popular writer and speaker. Hopefully children who read this will someday go on to read Kingsley in her own words. [One small note: terminology has changed a bit, by "West Africa" Kingsley refers to what we would today call the Atlantic coast region of Central Africa.]

Rating:
Summary: Who would have thought?
Review: Those who know Mary Kingsley probably never thought there would be a children's book about her, but why not? Her classic "Travels in West Africa" is still in print after over 100 years, and deservedly so (please see my review). This is a fine book for children, especially because its true-life Victorian heroine did something that most modern people wouldn't do, i.e., she traveled, on her own, though mostly unexplored Africa (Gabon to be precise), and afterwards became a very popular writer and speaker. Hopefully children who read this will someday go on to read Kingsley in her own words. [One small note: terminology has changed a bit, by "West Africa" Kingsley refers to what we would today call the Atlantic coast region of Central Africa.]