Crossing Niagara: The Death-Defying Tightrope Adventures of the Great Blondin

Reviewed by: Terri Bauld - Louis T. Graves Memorial Public Library, Kennebunkport, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 2, 2016

Review

With his realistic, gentle watercolor illustrations, Matt Tavares truly delivers in this spectacular picture book biography of the great Blondin.

Jean Francois Gravelet was a French child circus acrobat who later in life became known as The Great Blondin, a famous stuntman. One of his most death-defying acts, was his harrowing tightrope walk across the Niagara River. Matt Tavares brings this adventure to life with his realistic, gentle watercolor illustrations accompanied by engaging text. A gatefold highlights the crazy, over the top antics that Blondin performed as he repeatedly walked across the river during the summers of 1859 and 1860. The close up of the frightened gentleman who rode on Blondin’s back as he walked across the rope is particularly moving. The illustrations done in watercolor, gouache and pencil are so realistic that Blondin’s performance seems just as scary and impossible as it must have been to the hundreds of people who watched this feat firsthand over 150 years ago. An interesting, suspenseful retelling of an amazing performance by the greatest tightrope walker in the whole world. Backpages include an author’s note, selected bibliography and acknowledgment section. A great addition to any library.

Overall Book Score: excellent