Columbus, the triumphant failure by: Oliver Postgate & Naomi Linnell

Title: Columbus, the triumphant failure 

Author: Oliver Postgate & Naomi Linnell

Recommended for

Ages:  9-12 years old

Grades: Fourth Grade to Seventh Grade

Summary/Book Review

This book was published in 1992. The text first focuses on giving details of the long process that Columbus experienced by first proposing traveling to discover a route to Asia. It also includes the context of the world at the time that this exploration occurred.

This text focuses on discussing the natives, on the islands that are found in the Caribbean, and how they treated them. I believe that the theme of slavery is glossed over. This is seen in the quotation that states, “The Indians were worn out, and gold was very scarce. Columbus shipped a cargo of slaves to Spain. This distressed Isabella, who was fond of the innocent savages and had forbidden the trade”(Postgate 25). Although it is a children’s non-fiction book, classified under the biography section in my local public library, I believe that it should be more specific. I like that it mentions that Queen Isabella forbids the slave trade, which hints at its immorality.  

Another interesting quotation that I found in the text was when the author states, “He told the Indians that God was angry with them and would turn off the moon and sun…Columbus asked God to forgive them and it reappeared. After that there was no shortage of food”(Postgate 27).This quotation demonstrates Columbus’s  deception when he utilized knowledge of the eclipse of the moon to manipulate the natives. This caused the natives to serve them with excess, because they believed that the God would be angrier.

I believe that the illustrations are very helpful in allowing readers to view visuals of the locations of the islands that Columbus and his crew discovered and settled on. The illustrations are colorful and is illustrated in an antique, medieval style. The islands are labeled in its original names. For example, “Juana” is present-day Cuba. I believe that the “correct” portrayal would be to include the accomplishments through his discovery of the New World. In addition, I believe that a balanced portrayal of the treatment of the natives on the islands, who were “discovered” by Columbus and his crew is necessary. This text includes statements such as “Columbus and his brother Bartholomew, who had arrived from Spain, conquered the natives. They succeeded in capturing the fierce Caonabo by inviting him to wear some ceremonial handcuffs”(Postgate 23). I believe that this quotation shows that the natives surrender and were conquered by Columbus and his crew. 

In contrast, I believe that the section titled The Triumphant Failure, within this text, increases more accuracy in its portrayal. The text states, “According to the Guacanagri, a fierce cacique form the interior had attacked the settlement. Late, when the story came out, it was clear that the Spaniards had behaved abominably to the Indians, stealing their food and goods, raping the women, and using the men as slaves.” (Postgate 41). I am surprised by the mention of rape in this children’s book. This quotation indicates that the author recognizes the inhumane treatment of the native people through exploitation, violence and manipulation. Although it mentions other historical references, such as the monarchy of Spain, Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand, Toscanelli’s estimate, which was improperly utilized by Columbus, Ptolemy of Alexandria, etc., the text does not seem to mention the illnesses exposed to by the settlers.

Learning Standard

"Describe the relationship between a series of historical events, scientific ideas or concepts, or steps in technical procedures in a text, using language that pertains to time, sequence, and cause/effect." (Reading Standards for Informational Text K-5, Grade 3)

Learning Goal

Students will learn the cause and effects of Christopher Columbus exploration in this lesson.

Learning Objective

• Students will identify the cause and effects of Christopher Columbus exploration through reading the text titled Columbus, the triumphant failure by: Oliver Postgate & Naomi Linnell.
• Students will create a map to demonstrate their comprehension  of Christopher Columbus' discovery of the Americas, which is described in the text.

Learning Activity

In this learning activity, students will individually create a map to demonstrate their comprehension of Christopher Columbus' discovery of the Americas, which is described in the text. They will utilize the text to understand and mark the places in which Columbus landed on during his journeys to the New World. In addition, students will gain details through the illustrations shown in the text, about the location of each country. Students will be assessed trough a rubric that will focus on their accuracy of countries in their maps, and their overall creativity in the creation of their maps.

Learning Outcome

Students will gain knowledge about basic geography and mapmaking through learning about Christopher Columbus' discovery of the Americas, which is described in the text titled Columbus, the triumphant failure by: Oliver Postgate & Naomi Linnell.

Selling Tool 

Poster

References

Mid-Hudson Library System -- Columbus, the triumphant failure / Oliver Postgate & Naomi Linnell.. (2017). Search.midhudsonlibraries.org. Retrieved 10 October 2017, from http://search.midhudsonlibraries.org/iii/encore/record/C__Rb1354244__Scolumbus%20the%20triumphant%20failure__Orightresult__U__X7?lang=eng&suite=cobalt

Postgate, O., & Linnell, N. (1992). Columbus : the triumphant failure/Oliver Postgate & Naomi Linnell. New York: F. Watts.