A review by studiomikarts
Grand Canyon by Jason Chin

adventurous informative lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

This picturebook is so awesome I am always tempted to say it has everything you'd ever want, but then I remember there are no pop-ups or scratch 'n' sniff and I have to rein myself in 😅 It is seriously so well designed though, you will not go wrong picking it up. To start, the art and graphic design is so beautiful, it's a treat to look at before you even open it. After that comes the interesting Grand Canyon science, including geology, biology, and paleontology. The biggest surprise to me were the cutouts, which often bring the reader from present day to millions, even billions of years ago, like tiny organically-shaped windows into the past. The way the art seamlessly transitions through these windows is genius. It was a delight for me as an adult reader, so I'm sure kids will love it! The sections at the end, that go into more detail about the science, the illustration and storytelling, and recommendations for other books where one can learn more about the Grand Canyon are also excellent inclusions that make this picturebook more than a good story, it's a good resource!

I originally bought this picturebook at a gift shop while visiting the Grand Canyon's North Rim. It took me a while to finally read it but I'm so glad that I snagged such a brilliant book in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. If you're going to be visiting the Grand Canyon, I recommend looking for this book as a souvenir! And if traveling there in person isn't happening anytime soon, why not get this book and experience the grandeur of this amazing place in the palm of your hands?