A Picture Book of Simon Bolivar (Picture Book Biography)

Simon Bolivar is a name that we are all familiar with in one way or another (Bolivia anyone?) but that I doubt nine out of ten people could repeat five facts about him. It was with the intent of learning more about this man that I approached this book. My final appraisal is that it is difficult to determine the degree of success to which the subject is accurately portrayed. On opening the book the viewer meets an image of Bolivar on horseback looking like a thinner, more agile, Napolean. Yet of all the battles Bolivar fought, and there were many, there is only a single picture of Bolivar riding into battle. Otherwise the illustrations in this book are a little dull. They show multiple scenes of repose with people sitting and talking or writing. This isn't to say there aren't interesting things within the story. Simon Bolivar was a fascinating man with a rich and full life. Yet it's almost as if the illustrator and author conspired to dull Bolivar down. His politics, his upbringing, and his works are well displayed. His life as a whole, however, seems toneless. I got bored reading this book after walking in with the explicit desire of knowing more about the subject. I don't like to think how a kid assigned this book in class would respond to it. It might read aloud well if backed up with supplementary information and great teacher interest. However, there aren't any endnotes at the back of the text, leaving the reader who wants to know more (and how could you not?) with just a timeline of Bolivar's "important dates". On the whole, a disappointment.