THE TREE OF LIFE; A Book Depicting the Life of CHARLES DARWIN / Naturalist, Geologist, & Thinker

New York: Francis Foster Books / Farrar Straus Giroux, 2003. First Edition, First Printing. Pictorial boards. Very Fine/Very Fine. Peter Sis. 4to (12 1/4" x 9 1/4"), gray-green cloth with blind-stamped "Charles Darwin," magnificently illustrated by Peter Sis with sketches, portraits, maps, charts, vignettes, and tables, Mylar-protected pictorial dust jacket (unclipped) with drawing by Sis of an aged, distinguished Charles Darwin, illustrated pictorial endpapers, [39] pages [includes 2-folded pages for a 36" wide double-spread "On The Origin of Species"]. One of my favorite illustrators and favorite books. A CALDECOTT Honor Book. I believe this to be the Finest Illustrated Children's Book on Darwin and his discovery of evolution. The brilliant author-illustrator has creatively adapted Darwin's descriptive diary entries from the voyage of the Beagle along with other writings by the great naturalist. Ever scrupulous, Sis has also conferred with Prof. Peter Galison of Harvard and Dr. Eric Korn for guidance on the preparation of this remarkable and beautiful book. Peter Sis, born in Czechoslovakia in 1949, is an illustrator, author, film maker, and winner of many awards. EXCEPTIONAL CONDITION! Two colorful and attractive bookplates with tag of previous owner on front endpaper. Extra shipping charges may be required depending upon location.