  | Dinosaur lady : the daring discoveries of Mary Anning, the first paleontologist Author: Skeers, Linda | |
| Price: $23.08 | ||
Summary:
As a kid, Mary Anning loved hunting for fossils with her father. One day, that hobby led to an unexpected discovery: the skeleton of a creature no one had never seen before! Mary had unearthed a dinosaur fossil, the first to ever be discovered. Her find reshaped scientific beliefs about the natural world and led to the beginning of a brand new field of study: paleontology.
| Illustrator: | Alvarez Miguens, Marta |
Download a Teacher's Guide| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: LG Reading Level: 4.10 Points: .5 Quiz: 510789 |
Reviews:
School Library Journal (00/07/20)
Booklist (05/15/20)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 05/15/2020 Born into poverty on the southern coast of England in 1799, Mary Anning helped support her family by collecting shells washed ashore by the sea and fossils she chiseled from the crumbling cliffs near her home. In 1811, she and her brother discovered an Ichthyosaurus fossil, which led London scientists to theorize that Earth was older than previously thought and that the extinction of a species was possible. In 1823, Anning found a Plesiosaurus, and in 1828, a Pterosaur. Reading, drawing fossils, and experimenting led her to form valid theories of her own, which interested few in the scientific establishment during her lifetime. The book’s appended author’s note includes more biographical information, along with the “She sells seashells” tongue twister that Anning is said to have inspired. Skeers organizes her material well and presents it clearly, keeping the age of her audience in mind. Miguéns, who illustrated Jess Keating’s Shark Lady (2017), contributes a series of nicely composed digital illustrations showing Anning in action. This appealing picture book celebrates Anning's significant contributions to paleontology. - Copyright 2020 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 07/01/2020 PreS-Gr 3—Even as a young girl, Mary Anning (1799–1847) displayed a curiosity for excavating fossils and ancient bones. Anning explored the cliffs near her birthplace of Lyme Regis, England, and accompanied her father, a tradesman by day, on his fossil-hunting excursions. After discovering the head of an ancient creature, Anning became enthralled with searching for bones of other prehistoric animals. She committed her life's work to the pursuit of exhuming and writing about extinct species. Skeers's simple, straightforward prose details the paleontologist's personal history and career accomplishments, including her findings (she helped discover the first Ichthyosaurus and the first complete Plesiosaurus) and her difficulties with male contemporaries. Miguéns's colorful and charming illustrations enhance the informative and readable narrative. Readers will greatly appreciate the explanation of paleontological terms, a time line of Anning's life, and the author's note that fills in the gaps not covered in the book. VERDICT This enjoyable introduction to a pioneering paleontologist should intrigue and inspire young readers. An excellent purchase for school and public libraries.—Margaret Nunes, formerly at Gwinnett County P.L., GA - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
School Library Journal - 07/01/2020 - Copyright 2020 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
