"Valerie Jane found wiggly, squiggly worms.
She wanted to keep them close,
so she put them ...
under her pillow!
Her mother persuaded her to put
the worms back in the garden."
Readers are told on the following page that Valerie Jane was called Jane as an adult, and became a famous primatologist. Can you guess who? If you guessed Jane Goodall, you would be exactly right!
"As an adult, Jane slept in the rain forest with animals
all around her. She studied chimpanzees, learned their
ways, and watched them use tools - a discovery that
changed how people thought about animals."
Heather Mongomery encourages those who read this book to get outside and explore. She knows they will find something 'strange and wonderful' to put in their pockets. She explains that celebrated scientists do the same thing. She moves forward to introduce a diverse group of naturalists who are also explorers and researchers. Their work ranges through the centuries. Maria Sibylla Merian lived in the 17th century when people knew little about insects and their life cycles; through careful research, she discovered the real truth about caterpillars turning into butterflies. Today, Bonnie Lei uses her science skills to help the world's scientists 'use artificial intelligence and other technologies to conserve nature's treasures'. The other seven included may be familiar - may be not.
The text is presented in a most engaging way. Each scientist is first shown as a child, fully engaged with the world around them. There follows an informative paragraph to quickly explain their accomplishments. Maribel Lechuga uses digital media to create an accurate historical setting for the scientists and their work. Inviting scenes assure that young readers have context for the stories shared. In back matter, readers will find sketches and further facts about the adults the young naturalists became, along with a 'learn more:' suggestion. Finally, a helpful note from both illustrator and author, and a list of further resources. Excellent nonfiction!
"Throughout history, kids have found all
kinds of strange and wonderful things.
They've created collections.
They've made discoveries.
They've changed the world of science."
What do you have in your pocket?
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