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dembury's review
5.0
A truly beautifully crafted book that offers a look at the life of a remarkable woman! I had never heard of Maria Merian before reading this but I am thoroughly inspired by her and want to read a longer biography. The reading level of this is a probably aimed at a young/mid-teen level, and I was expecting something a little meatier, however, that still doesn't detract from the fact that I immensely enjoyed reading about Maria's life, curiosity, and contributions to science and entomology. I would recommend this to anyone looking to add a little nonfiction reading to their shelves, or if you just want to read about a really cool woman :)
agvis's review
Personally, I have always had trouble reading nonfiction. Informational genres bored me and always got thrown on my DNF pile. While this book was chosen because of a Children’s and Adolescent Literature course I am taking, I can’t say I minded it. It had a way of pulling the reader in that was very necessary for the genre. It definitely helped that I am a lover of both art and science. The pictures and primary sources were wonderful. I did catch myself skimming and skipping over sections as I was reading but as far as I’m concerned just finishing the book is a step in the right direction. Who knows, maybe this will get me on a more committed nonfiction track.
pumpkem's review
4.0
This is a beautiful and well written biography of a woman who changed science and entomology as we know it today. This is a great bio for young readers, especially young girls, who want to be inspired to tread their own path. The illustrations are beautiful!
roseleaf24's review
5.0
This gorgeous book is clearly written, and engaging enough that the science and history included just flow effortlessly. Maria Merian did such groundbreaking and important work. I can't wait to pass this book on to my daughter, and to some other friends whose passion for art and science intertwine. As I have heard, however, in the last few days, both a white explorers words being legitimate over the words of multiple African villages, and a woman being labelled as "not a scientist" despite excelling in the field academically prior to staying at home with her children, this book also highlighted for me how far we still have to go.
morganrondo's review
5.0
This was just lovely.
I had a surreal moment while reading this book.
I picked up the book by chance after the cover caught my eye. I studied ecology in college, and I like insects.
Her paintings are stunning, and as I was reading it I thought they looked familiar.
In 2014, while interning at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, I got to tour their rare book collection.
Halfway through the book, I wondered maybe if that's why her illustrations looked familiar. Perhaps I had seen them before, but my hopes were low.
I didn't take pictures of all the books we saw on the tour, but I took the most pictures of one because it was in Dutch, and I was learning Dutch at the time. Also, I liked the insects.
Whelp, five years later, I realize it was one of Maria Merian's books...
The book is super old, estimated at from 1705.
It was an out-of-body experience to know I saw an original, hand-painted copy of one of her books.
I had a surreal moment while reading this book.
I picked up the book by chance after the cover caught my eye. I studied ecology in college, and I like insects.
Her paintings are stunning, and as I was reading it I thought they looked familiar.
In 2014, while interning at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, I got to tour their rare book collection.
Halfway through the book, I wondered maybe if that's why her illustrations looked familiar. Perhaps I had seen them before, but my hopes were low.
I didn't take pictures of all the books we saw on the tour, but I took the most pictures of one because it was in Dutch, and I was learning Dutch at the time. Also, I liked the insects.
Whelp, five years later, I realize it was one of Maria Merian's books...
The book is super old, estimated at from 1705.
It was an out-of-body experience to know I saw an original, hand-painted copy of one of her books.
ninakeller's review
4.0
Valuable story about Maria Merian, who overcame strict family norms in the 17th century, to pursue her curiosity and scientific inquiry of insects. Her artistic background and organized documentation put her far ahead of her time as a naturalist and ecologist. Before her work, insects were viewed as diabolical and magical, without known origins or life cycles.
jennymock's review
5.0
Very intriguing biography with beautiful images of original artwork and Joyce Sidman’s poetry. Sidman does a wonderful job of weaving in relevant and interesting elements of history from Maria Merian’s lifetime.
aoosterwyk's review
5.0
So glad I found this book! Insects have always been my thing and I was completely absorbed by this book. There were entry points for women’s studies, arts and trades, science (on so many levels), colonialism, and history. My favorite kind of book: educational AND beautiful!
neglet's review
Absolutely fabulous nonfiction, from the chapter headings and poems that correspond to stages of insect development to the informative sidebars sprinkled throughout, supplementing the central story of this fascinating woman. Engrossing and edifying, with fabulous illustrations.