Synopsis
This colorfully illustrated biography of the Greek philosopher and scientist Eratosthenes, who compiled the first geography book and accurately measured the globe's circumference, is just right for budding mathematicians, scientists, historians, and librarians!Mindful Muslim Review
In contrast to the modern tendency to simply collect information, books like this highlight a lifetime spent in the pursuit of deep and varied knowledge—a very important part of our faith. Children can learn much from Eratosthenes’ journey starting with his insatiable appetite for knowledge as a child to his relocation as an adult to ancient Alexandria, where scholarship was central to society and deeply revered. Understanding how Eratosthenes was able to determine the circumference of the Earth leads to a deeper understanding of the Earth’s orbit, the seasons, and the application of basic geometric principles. Enriching stories like this should be used as a means to cultivate a love of learning and build appreciation for the pursuit of knowledge. For a deeper look into the importance of teaching children the critical distinction between information vs. knowledge, read our blog post.