An intricate and satisfying portrait of a dedicated woman scientist, innovator, and activist.
From a childhood steeped in botanical study to an adulthood spent discovering, studying, and advocating for the rainforest, scientific pioneer Meg Lowman has lived her life with leaves and trees.
An originator of rainforest study, she earned several degrees (often the only woman in her classes), made countless discoveries (including identifying new species), found innovative ways to study the canopy (building canopy bridges), and worked to educate children and adults to protect the botanical world she loves. A nice addition to any rainforest or biography unit, this straightforward selection provides an inspiring portrayal and focuses on Lowman’s inventiveness and dedication through engaging, poetic text augmented by original quotes. Christy’s striking illustrations use leafy patterns and repetition of vignettes to underscore the White woman’s enthusiasm and determination. Shifts in perspective convey the awesome scale of the rainforest. Nonfiction tidbits are housed appropriately in leaf designs scattered throughout the pages. Well-chosen details about her experiences (learning to climb up to the canopy; finding ways to bring her own children and other students there), observations (watching animals and insects devour leaves at night; seeing the rainforest from a balloon), and struggles (shy, she had to find the courage to communicate her ideas regarding conservation and sustainability) are included, resulting in an exciting tale of exploration and adventure that will capture the attention of budding scientists and environmentalists alike. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-17-inch double-page spreads viewed at 78.6% of actual size.)
An intricate and satisfying portrait of a dedicated woman scientist, innovator, and activist. (notes, chart, source notes, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 5-9)Pub Date: Feb. 9, 2021
ISBN: 978-1-68437-177-8
Page Count: 48
Publisher: Calkins Creek/Boyds Mills
Review Posted Online: Dec. 14, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 1, 2021
An in-depth and visually pleasing look at one of the most fundamental forces in the universe.
An introduction to gravity.
The book opens with the most iconic demonstration of gravity, an apple falling. Throughout, Herz tackles both huge concepts—how gravity compresses atoms to form stars and how black holes pull all kinds of matter toward them—and more concrete ones: how gravity allows you to jump up and then come back down to the ground. Gravity narrates in spare yet lyrical verse, explaining how it creates planets and compresses atoms and comparing itself to a hug. “My embrace is tight enough that you don’t float like a balloon, but loose enough that you can run and leap and play.” Gravity personifies itself at times: “I am stubborn—the bigger things are, the harder I pull.” Beautiful illustrations depict swirling planets and black holes alongside racially diverse children playing, running, and jumping, all thanks to gravity. Thorough backmatter discusses how Sir Isaac Newton discovered gravity and explains Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity. While at times Herz’s explanations may be a bit too technical for some readers, burgeoning scientists will be drawn in.
An in-depth and visually pleasing look at one of the most fundamental forces in the universe. (Informational picture book. 7-9)Pub Date: April 15, 2024
ISBN: 9781668936849
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Tilbury House
Review Posted Online: May 4, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
Enticing and eco-friendly.
Why and how to make a rain garden.
Having watched through their classroom window as a “rooftop-rushing, gutter-gushing” downpour sloppily flooded their streets and playground, several racially diverse young children follow their tan-skinned teacher outside to lay out a shallow drainage ditch beneath their school’s downspout, which leads to a patch of ground, where they plant flowers (“native ones with tough, thick roots,” Schaub specifies) to absorb the “mucky runoff” and, in time, draw butterflies and other wildlife. The author follows up her lilting rhyme with more detailed explanations of a rain garden’s function and construction, including a chart to help determine how deep to make the rain garden and a properly cautionary note about locating a site’s buried utility lines before starting to dig; she concludes with a set of leads to online information sources. Gómez goes more for visual appeal than realism. In her scenes, a group of smiling, round-headed, very small children in rain gear industriously lay large stones along a winding border with little apparent effort; nevertheless, her images of the little ones planting generic flowers that are tall and lush just a page turn later do make the outdoorsy project look like fun.
Enticing and eco-friendly. (Picture book. 5-7)Pub Date: March 12, 2024
ISBN: 9781324052357
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Norton Young Readers
Review Posted Online: Feb. 17, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2024
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
BOOK REVIEW
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