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Dinosaur Lady: The Daring Discoveries of Mary Anning, the First Paleontologist by Linda Skeers
panda_incognito's review against another edition
4.0
This appealingly illustrated picture book biography shares the story of Mary Anning and her fossil discoveries. It includes lots of interesting facts about dinosaurs, and surprised me with the detail that when she discovered her first fossils, the word 'dinosaur' did not even exist yet. I enjoyed learning more about her pioneering work, and appreciate that the book addresses the constraints that she experienced as a woman without making it look like these injustices defined her life. Even though men excluded her from scientific groups and the academy, she made the best of her situation, and I appreciate this book's portrayal of how innovative she was.
I received an advance copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an advance copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
emeelee's review against another edition
2.0
Mary Anning is a worthy subject for a children's biography, though the claim that she was "the first paleontologist" is quite an exaggeration. The writing in Dinosaur Lady is nothing special, but the artwork is very cute. I appreciate that it points out the misogyny that Anning faced in the scientific community at the time, and that some of Anning's 'smaller' discoveries (coprolite, belemnite ink) were just as important as the big impressive dinosaur skeletons. The back matter misleadingly equates coprolites (fossilized feces) to bezoars-- saying that coprolites are "also known as bezoars" rather than that they were mistakenly believed to be bezoars. Overall, I wasn't much impressed with this book--it was just okay, though it could certainly lead curious young readers to explore more about Mary Anning and paleontology.
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this eARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this eARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review!
laura_mcloughlin's review against another edition
4.0
Very good picture book biography of Mary Anning.
readaloud_mom's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.75
An exciting picture book biography! On one of the first pages, the text describes how Mary "scrambled over crumbling cliffs and rocky peaks while avoiding life-threatening landslides".
I'd known that Mary Anning discovered the ichthyosaur as a kid, but this book also discusses some of her later discoveries. For instance, I hadn't known that she also figured out that bezoars were fossilized poop! What a great detail to include in a picture book! (And yes, the text does indeed play it for a bit of a laugh.)
The book addresses sexism (scientists talking about Mary's discoveries but not about Mary at first; Mary not being allowed to join the Geological Society of London; etc). The focus of the book, however, is kept squarely on the joy of discovery.
I love the many illustrations of an active Mary exploring, doing science, using a hammer and chisel, etc., all while clad in her long skirt, apron, straw bonnet, etc. The text never gets distracted by the long skirts, BTW - it's a pet peeve of mine when books do that, and I was delighted to find that this book didn't. I especially like the illustration towards the end with Mary confidently striding along a cliff, with four terrified Victorian gentlemen of science behind her!
Most of the nameless other characters that appear in the book are men - local workmen, her brother, Victorian scientists. Neither of Mary's parents ever appears. However, I was happy to see that in the spread showing "Mary's Monster" (soon to be renamed Ichthyosaurus) on display in a London museum, the fascinated crowd does include two women who are clearly engaging with each other about the skeleton in wonder and admiration. (That crowd scene has 13 men and 7 women total).
The text skims over the Anning family's poverty, though it does mention on the first page that Mary "filled her basket with "curiosities" to sell to tourists" and then later on the sale of the ichthyosaur "Mary hated to see it go, but the money would help the Anning family survive for months".
I feel like the dinosaur books of my own childhood in the '80s tended to focus too much on the for-profit aspect of Anning's fossil-hunting, so it was great to see a book focusing so much on Anning the Scientist! But I wonder a bit if this book has maybe swung a tad too far the other way in losing sight of Anning the Businesswoman? However, the author's note does include some more biographical details (including that Mary's "curiosities" helped support her family after her father's death and that she eventually opened a shop called "Anning's Fossil Depot"), so overall I'm pretty happy with the balance struck there.
Book also includes a charming timeline and a bibliography. This is the second Sourcebook biography that I've read recently ("All the Way to the Top" is the other) and I've been really impressed with both of them!
I'd known that Mary Anning discovered the ichthyosaur as a kid, but this book also discusses some of her later discoveries. For instance, I hadn't known that she also figured out that bezoars were fossilized poop! What a great detail to include in a picture book! (And yes, the text does indeed play it for a bit of a laugh.)
The book addresses sexism (scientists talking about Mary's discoveries but not about Mary at first; Mary not being allowed to join the Geological Society of London; etc). The focus of the book, however, is kept squarely on the joy of discovery.
I love the many illustrations of an active Mary exploring, doing science, using a hammer and chisel, etc., all while clad in her long skirt, apron, straw bonnet, etc. The text never gets distracted by the long skirts, BTW - it's a pet peeve of mine when books do that, and I was delighted to find that this book didn't. I especially like the illustration towards the end with Mary confidently striding along a cliff, with four terrified Victorian gentlemen of science behind her!
Most of the nameless other characters that appear in the book are men - local workmen, her brother, Victorian scientists. Neither of Mary's parents ever appears. However, I was happy to see that in the spread showing "Mary's Monster" (soon to be renamed Ichthyosaurus) on display in a London museum, the fascinated crowd does include two women who are clearly engaging with each other about the skeleton in wonder and admiration. (That crowd scene has 13 men and 7 women total).
The text skims over the Anning family's poverty, though it does mention on the first page that Mary "filled her basket with "curiosities" to sell to tourists" and then later on the sale of the ichthyosaur "Mary hated to see it go, but the money would help the Anning family survive for months".
I feel like the dinosaur books of my own childhood in the '80s tended to focus too much on the for-profit aspect of Anning's fossil-hunting, so it was great to see a book focusing so much on Anning the Scientist! But I wonder a bit if this book has maybe swung a tad too far the other way in losing sight of Anning the Businesswoman? However, the author's note does include some more biographical details (including that Mary's "curiosities" helped support her family after her father's death and that she eventually opened a shop called "Anning's Fossil Depot"), so overall I'm pretty happy with the balance struck there.
Book also includes a charming timeline and a bibliography. This is the second Sourcebook biography that I've read recently ("All the Way to the Top" is the other) and I've been really impressed with both of them!
nainwbqs's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
scostner's review against another edition
3.0
"She sells seashells on the seashore." Many of us hear that tongue twister as children, but we do not hear the story of the woman it is based on. Mary Anning's life is described for us in this lovely picture book biography. We read of her collecting fossils and shells that her family sold to tourists to support themselves. With no formal training, she taught herself what to look for and discovered the skeleton of what was named "ichthyosaurus." Although she lived at a time when women were not expected or even allowed to be scientists, Mary made amazing finds in the field of fossils and the men who were allowed to pursue their scientific dreams came to her for answers.
Illustrations show Mary climbing over cliffs and rocks, digging with her hammer and chisel in all kinds of weather. They also show "geologists, scientists, and scholars" trailing along behind her. Along with an author's note there are also a timeline of Miss Anning's life and "Bone Bits and Fossil Facts" among the back matter. Although we may feel frustrated on her behalf, at least we have the satisfaction that Mary's contributions to the field are finally being recognized. With books like these, young readers will have the chance to appreciate her perseverance and self-taught expertise.
Illustrations show Mary climbing over cliffs and rocks, digging with her hammer and chisel in all kinds of weather. They also show "geologists, scientists, and scholars" trailing along behind her. Along with an author's note there are also a timeline of Miss Anning's life and "Bone Bits and Fossil Facts" among the back matter. Although we may feel frustrated on her behalf, at least we have the satisfaction that Mary's contributions to the field are finally being recognized. With books like these, young readers will have the chance to appreciate her perseverance and self-taught expertise.