Back of Book:
Maria Sibylla Merian was fascinated with insects. But when Maria was a girl in the mid-1600s, superstitions about bugs prevented most people from taking a close look. People thought bugs were evil—and anyone interested in such creatures was surely evil too. That didn’t stop Maria. Filled with curiosity, she began to study and paint them. She even witnessed silkworms form cocoons and transform into moths—discovering metamorphosis! Painting and drawing as she studied, Maria pushed the boundaries of what girls were expected to do, eventually gaining recognition as one of the first entomologists and scientific illustrators.
My Review:
Sarah Glenn Marsh has beautifully captured the life and work of Maria Merian. The story follows Maria throughout her life as she collected, and studied many types of insects. Maria knew that her work could make others suspicious of her and worked hard to keep her findings a secret. I was amazed at all the work she accomplished in secret. The illustrations by Filippo Vanzo are lovely especially the end pages that captured the illustrations from Maria Merian. The back of the book shares more information with readers about Maria and her life. I had never heard of Maria Merian and was thrilled to learn so many amazing facts about this scientific pioneer. A fantastic picture book biography for the classroom.
Ages 5 and up
32 Pages
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