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The Sandwalk Adventures: An Adventure in Evolution Told in Five Chapters
"In The Sandwalk Adventures--now, stay with us here--Darwin engages in discussion with follicle mites that live in his left eyebrow. The mites believe Darwin is a god, one of the myths they have handed down from generation to generation. Darwin sets them straight about that and other mite fables as well, the result being lessons in natural selection." - The Chicago Tribune
159 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2003
2 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
Jay Hosler
27 books83 followersDr. Jay Hosler is an Associate Professor of Biology at Juniata College and an award-winning cartoonist who writes and draws comic books about biology and natural history. His work has been called "ingenious" (The London Times), "goofily inventive" (The New York Times), and "entertaining and slyly educational" (The Comics Journal). His works include Active Synapse classics such as Clan Apis, The Sandwalk Adventures, and Optical Allusions. You can visit Jay's website for a more in-depth introduction to this multi-talented cartoonist-biologist-professor-daddy.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 10, 2022
Not sure what I just read here…or even why I read it beyond it being offered as one of Scrip’d’s totally random suggestions. The back cover said the New York Times called it “goofily inventive” and I’d say that description nails it, as it will probably be the only evolution lesson that I’ll ever read told from the perspective of a mite living in Charles Darwin’s left eyebrow. Art is very inky and vintage-y; reminiscent of Barney Google or Moon Mullins.
December 10, 2019
Very interesting take on presenting Darwin's evolutionary theory. I just can't put my finger on what disturbs me.
March 25, 2021
Hilarious! A great comic overview of Darwin and evolution, told in a way kids will find funny.
April 5, 2015
This obviously fictionalized tale based on biographical and historical details relating to Darwin explains the theory of evolution in an inventive and fun manner for both children and adults to enjoy. Jay Hosler is a professor of biology where I attended undergrad, though I only knew him in passing as I finished up my senior year research and he was just settling in. I had picked up his Clan Apis comic and soon after going off to grad school I was giving comics a try and ordered this. Finally got around to reading it in another attempt to approach comics. They still aren't really my thing, but I appreciated Hosler's illustrations more than typical comics illustrations. Here the pictures complemented the text and were less busy than a typical comic. The story is clever and allows both presentation of historic and scientific facts along with some zany comic fun that children will enjoy, moments that spice up what could become bogged down in dryness, without taking away from the serious moments. As a view on the rifts between ideas of creationism and the science of evolution the text is rather fair and mostly respectful, but just doesn't delve into it enough to make this aspect more than secondary to the actual presentation of evolutionary theory as described by Darwin. Hosler's newest comic, Last of the Sandwalkers, just had a featured excerpt on Tor.com, coinciding nicely with my writing up something on this, so you can check out his recent work there.
January 24, 2008
Sandwalk is a comic that dramatizes an ongoing conversation about evolution between Charles Darwin and a mite living in his left eyebrow. It's funny and interesting and fairly light. Jay Hosler is an entymologist by day, so he really knows his science, but he also has a clear writing style that allows his subject matter to remain conversational and humorous. The artwork is clean, in black and white, with thin but well-balanced lines and inks. It's a short and fun read. Clan Apis - Hosler's other graphic novel about the lives of bees - is much better, in my opinion, but it's more of an emotional story, whereas this is more like an interesting thought experiment illustrated on paper. "What if Darwin himself could explain evolutionary biology to you?" Well, now he can... and you only have to identify with a cute, smarmy skin mite.
Oh, and these books would be *fabulous* additions to a classroom. They are totally kid-friendly and easy enough to read without pandering in the least. Hosler is supposedly developing other comics about science specifically for teaching under a grant from the Natinoal Science Foundation.
Oh, and these books would be *fabulous* additions to a classroom. They are totally kid-friendly and easy enough to read without pandering in the least. Hosler is supposedly developing other comics about science specifically for teaching under a grant from the Natinoal Science Foundation.
August 5, 2007
Bizarre premise - Charles Darwin, in the twilight of his years, talks about the nature of things with an eyebrow mite who thinks he's a god - but a really wonderful book. Lots of discussion about the natures of science and relgion, where they meet, where they part company, and how perception can mean the difference between reality and myth. And impressively, it manages to do all that without being insulting to either side of the argument (though its pretty clear that Hosler, a science teacher, falls clearly on Darwin's side). It's cute, it's laugh-out-loud funny, and you may just learn something, too.
July 31, 2008
I thought this book was hilarious and also really informative, which is a good combo! The notes in the back are extensive, although they might have been better placed in the front. I didn't know they were there until I got to the end of the book. I think this would be a great supplemental read for a kid interested in learning more about evolution. I'm not sure it's basic enough for an introduction, but it's definitely one of the more interesting things I've read about the evolution theory. Hosler is a biology PhD, which definitely lends some credibility to the text. The drawings are great and this was a really quick read.
November 1, 2009
I thought Sandwalk Adventures really provided the reader with a unique perspective on Charles Darwin. This story is written in comic book form with the dialogue between Darwin and a follicle mite in his left eyebrow telling the story. I find this story difficult to classify as non-fiction because of the fantasy aspect... the whole having conversations with mites thing. On the other hand, what a great way to hook a young reader who doesn't want to pick up another non-fiction, encyclopedia-looking, book with section after predictable section about Darwin's life.
I also could see how true believers in creation would have a problem with this one being taught.
I also could see how true believers in creation would have a problem with this one being taught.
December 6, 2015
A fictional account of Charles Darwin explaining evolution to a follicle mite living in his eyebrow. Sounds a bit out there? Well, it is, but that just makes it even more entertaining. It's a good tale, with good art, that appeals to all ages. And, for those with a deeper interest, lots of references to the events in Darwin's life and the context in which they occurred. Great entertainment for a cold and rainy afternoon.
January 28, 2013
This was a fun look at Darwin's theory of evolution. I did find the mites to be cute. I chose to overlook the fact that their brains are too small to evolve such senses of humor. I still find that when I read a graphic novel, I don't spend enough time looking at the pictures. I tried a bit more in this one.
August 22, 2015
This is an educational graphic novel. It's also an amusing fantasy. One Charles Darwin engages in discussion with several young follicle mites, and explains evolution to them. At first, they think he is a mythical being, a god of their legends. But although he isn't one of their myths, Darwin helps them save their lives. Lots of endnotes. Confession: I actually learned something from this.
July 8, 2010
Charles Darwin explains his theories to a mite living in his left eyebrow.
No, really. And somehow it ends up being the cutest little heartwarming story about life, myths, and truth. I greatly enjoyed this little graphic novel.
No, really. And somehow it ends up being the cutest little heartwarming story about life, myths, and truth. I greatly enjoyed this little graphic novel.
February 28, 2011
How can you not like a story in which a family of mites living in its host's eyebrows has a conversation with its host? The drawings were charming and I learned more about Darwin the man as well as his theory. If you are looking for an in-depth analysis forget it this is not the book to read.
June 22, 2011
Very cute graphic novel about an elderly Charles Darwin teaching a mite that lives in a hair follicle in his eyebrow about evolution and survival of the fittest. A quick and easy read for upper elementary and middle school. Students will love the juvenile humor and drawings in the book.
December 28, 2007
FU-NNY. Oh, and informative and educational and what-not. Very well put together. Follicle mites, though. Ew. I'm glad they don't have butts.
March 4, 2009
Not quite as charming as Clan Apis, and a little more technical, still a great fun read by someone who cares deeply about spreading knowledge and love of science.
December 1, 2008
I think I missed what others I know that read this book liked about it.
January 23, 2009
This is good stuff - the panels were OK, but the notes in the appendix made it all come together and added some more depth to the panels themselves. It took me about 3 hrs...
November 26, 2009
Good humored, well drawn, accessible explanation of Darwin's theory of evolution through natural selection. Excellent end notes section adds to the educational (and fun) value.
January 31, 2012
I wish every science (text)book were written as a comic. This one was so entertaining I ended up reading all the notes at the back.
Want to read
June 25, 2013Proud to say this book was written by one of my college professors!!! What a great tool for my future science classroom. Go Juniata!!!
October 10, 2015
Best educational graphic novel I have found yet - follows a conversation between Charles Darwin and a mite living in his eyebrow. A wonderful fantasy, great artwork and teaches evolution.
January 6, 2016
There's hardly anyone more fascinating than Charles Darwin...unless you count the mites that live in his eyebrows.
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February 15, 2016Interesting to read a Creationism VS Natural Selection debate formatted into a children's picture book.
October 7, 2017
Charming tale in comic book form of conversations between Charles Darwin and.... hair mites. The art is fun and compelling, and the book covers many great ideas as well as some biographical bits about Darwin's life. Inspires thoughts about science, faith, creation, and evolution.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews