Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 06/01/2019 *Starred Review* In 1646, 14-year-old Antony van Leeuwenhoek began his draper’s apprenticeship at a linen merchant’s shop. Later, he opened his own shop in Delft. On a visit to London in 1668, he was fascinated by Robert Hooke’s best-selling book Micrographica. Though he couldn’t read English, the detailed pictures of tiny objects (a flea, a poppy seed) filled him with wonder and spurred his curiosity. Soon, he was patiently grinding his own lenses, building small microscopes, and examining details of the animals, plants, and substances around him. His discovery, in 1674, of tiny living creatures in lake water stunned the scientists of his day and, much later, led to the study of microbiology. Alexander tells his story here in an accessible, down-to-earth way, portraying a man with limited education and resources but an active mind, as well as boundless energy and diligence. She notes that historians’ opinions differ on certain dates. The back matter includes a descriptive time line and an informative glossary. From the Delft-tile inspired endpapers to the many engaging illustrations in a naive style, Mildenberger’s artwork reflects the tone of the text while helping to define the period. An attractive, very readable book on an important figure in the history of science. - Copyright 2019 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 08/01/2019 Gr 2–5—In this current era of the electron microscope, it is difficult to imagine when the microscopic world was not only unknown but unimagined. With no university education or formal training in the sciences, 36-year-old Antony van Leeuwenhoek (1632–1723) was exposed to English scientist Robert Hooke's investigations during a London vacation. Galvanized by this blossoming curiosity, he taught himself to grind superior lenses in order to closely examine the hidden world of various objects. He then diffidently shared his findings with the Royal Society and despite initial skepticism was ultimately elected a Fellow. Alexander's clear text, accompanied by simple black-and-white illustrations, outlines topics such as bubonic plague, scientific nomenclature, the perils of E. coli and giardia, and the physics of microscope lenses. All is rounded off by an extensive author's note, a time line from van Leeuwenhoek's birth to the development of the electron microscope, a glossary, source notes, and a bibliography. VERDICT This pleasantly readable biography of Antony van Leeuwenhoek illuminates the unexpected journey of a Dutch draper from anonymity to becoming the "Father of Microbiology." Readable, informative, and a celebration of dedicated curiosity.—Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY - Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.