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Ida and the World Beyond Mount Kaiserzipf
Ida Pfeiffer has a mind of her own.
Although she lives at a time when girls are expected to be mothers and housewives, Ida dreams of being an explorer and going on expeditions. She bravely sets off on her first trip around the world, an adventurous journey over land and sea, discovering faraway lands and meeting friendly people along the way.
With expressive colors, dynamic shapes, and a simple but evocative text, Linda Schwalbe’s debut picture book is a joyful tribute to Ida Pfeiffer—one of the first female explorers to travel around the world.
Although she lives at a time when girls are expected to be mothers and housewives, Ida dreams of being an explorer and going on expeditions. She bravely sets off on her first trip around the world, an adventurous journey over land and sea, discovering faraway lands and meeting friendly people along the way.
With expressive colors, dynamic shapes, and a simple but evocative text, Linda Schwalbe’s debut picture book is a joyful tribute to Ida Pfeiffer—one of the first female explorers to travel around the world.
64 pages, Hardcover
Published September 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 8, 2021
Wonderful book on Ida Pfeiffer - the first woman to travel around the world alone. At the age of 44 (after her two sons had grown up) Ida decided to go on that adventure she had been dreaming of ever since she was a little girl. Wonderful story about never giving up on your dreams - beautiful art.
February 14, 2021
The main text follows Ida in a colorful reminisce of her life. The beginning is dated Vienna 1802, but nothing else from the story dates it much: Ida longs to explore the world and is naturally as wild as her brothers, but her mother tries to reign her in to more traditional activities. And for awhile, Ida toes the line. She marries and has children, and they grow up. Once they move out, Ida recalls her dream to travel the world and makes good on it. She begins her adventures, describing seasickness, the animals she observes, the various cultures she meets. Her narrative and the colorful illustrations combine for a triumphant tale of unbridled joy in the face of society's traditional gender restrictions. It's a story as relevant today as it was 220 years ago, and this part of the story reads as a straight picture book.
The afterward gives a more detailed description of Ida's life, noting that it wasn't until she was forty-four that she began her journeys. She published popular travel writing that was translated into several languages. She herself spoke several languages and was interested in photography. She eventually died from the effects of malaria. At the very end is a map detailing her two journeys. Something about those two lines that crisscross so many countries and wildernesses and difficult seas is so powerful, knowing the limited resources available to women at the time and the rigors of such a journey for any adventurer. The entire package is a moving reminder about how it is never too late to pursue your dreams. And of course, rigid gender stereotypes are absurd.
I would love to read Ida Pfeiffer's original writings, or find a more extensive biography.
The afterward gives a more detailed description of Ida's life, noting that it wasn't until she was forty-four that she began her journeys. She published popular travel writing that was translated into several languages. She herself spoke several languages and was interested in photography. She eventually died from the effects of malaria. At the very end is a map detailing her two journeys. Something about those two lines that crisscross so many countries and wildernesses and difficult seas is so powerful, knowing the limited resources available to women at the time and the rigors of such a journey for any adventurer. The entire package is a moving reminder about how it is never too late to pursue your dreams. And of course, rigid gender stereotypes are absurd.
I would love to read Ida Pfeiffer's original writings, or find a more extensive biography.
July 30, 2020
The fascinating story of Ida Pfeiffer, the first woman who traveled around the world alone without financial assistance. Though she always wanted adventure, she followed her mother's wishes and grew up to become a mother and wife. Not until her children were grown did she begin her career as an explorer and travel writer - when she was forty-four! The main text is a narrative told from Ida's point of view and the backmatter provides more information about her life. This is a perfect book for both read-alouds and to share with an adventure-seeking child!
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March 29, 2020Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
May 23, 2021
I loved this book. A nice piece of history for children and adults alike!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews