by Joyce Sidman
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018. Informational. 120 p.
Merian became fascinated with insects as a young teenager in 17th century Europe. Her stepfather was a artist and printer by trade and she learned to draw in his studio. Her artwork was so outstanding that she published her first book about flowers and insects while still in her 20's. Her careful observations helped disprove a common misconception that insects grew spontaneously from rotten materials. She and her daughter even traveled to Suriname to observe and paint tropical insects. Her book about the flora and fauna of Suriname, though written by a woman, was acclaimed by the leading scientists of the time.
This well written nonfiction biography by a Newbery honor winner has gained a lot of recognition already this year. Sidman's accessible text is illustrated with pictures from Merian's own books, other historical artwork, and modern photographs. Merian's story shows that even in times when women were not highly respected, some women were just so awesome that society could not help but notice and admire them.
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