Mary Anning: Volume 58 (Little People, Big Dreams, #58)

by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Popy Matigot (Illustrator)

In this book from the critically acclaimed, multimillion-copy bestselling Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Mary Anning, the first paleontologist and daring fossil hunter.

When Mary was little, her family was very poor. She used to help her dad to comb for shells and bones up high on dangerous cliffs. After receiving a book as a gift from a kind benefactor, Mary learned all about fossils. She continued to hunt for them and made the startling discovery of a complete skeleton of an ichthyosaur. Sadly, she wasn't allowed to study along with all the other men, but she carried on making her own discoveries - including dinosaur poo! - and advising the Geological Society when they needed help. It took a lifetime to receive recognition but we all remember her now as the mother of paleontology. This roar-some book features stylish and quirky illustrations and extra facts at the back, including a biographical timeline with historical photos and a detailed profile of the paleontologist's life.

Little People, BIG DREAMS is a bestselling series of books and educational games that explore the lives of outstanding people, from designers and artists to scientists and activists. All of them achieved incredible things, yet each began life as a child with a dream.

This empowering series offers inspiring messages to children of all ages, in a range of formats. The board books are told in simple sentences, perfect for reading aloud to babies and toddlers. The hardback versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. Boxed gift sets allow you to collect a selection of the books by theme. Paper dolls, learning cards, matching games and other fun learning tools provide even more ways to make the lives of these role models accessible to children.

Inspire the next generation of outstanding people who will change the world with Little People, BIG DREAMS!

• ISBN10: 0711255547
• ISBN13: 9780711255548
• Publish Date: 16 March 2021 (first published 23 February 2021)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: White Lion Publishing
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 32
• Language: English

Reviews

[annieb123]

To be published on my blog: Nonstop Reader at release.

Mary Anning is a new biography for young readers in the Little People, Big Dreams series. I've reviewed a number of these titles and all of them are delightful and exuberant little books which cover the lives of famous cultural, science, arts, and innovative icons while maintaining an age-appropriate level of detail. Due out 2nd March 2021 from Quarto on their Frances Lincoln imprint, it'll be 32 pages and will be available in hardcover format.

The text and story by Isabel Sánchez Vegara are written in clear accessible language. The gentle and sweetly humorous illustrations were well done. The art by Popy Matigot is quirky and has an almost linocut collage look.

Well written and appealing, I am really enjoying all of these little books. This one is a worthy addition and especially welcome as a glimpse into a womens lives and challenges in historically male-dominated STEM fields. The author doesn't shy away from saying in the text that the (invariably male) scientists of the time used Mary's work as their own without credit to her.

Five stars. This would make a superlative reading circle book, classroom library book, or gift. Mary Anning was an intelligent, determined and accomplished woman in an unfair and prejudiced world which arrayed its power against her but never managed to thwart her. There is a short timeline included at the back of each of these books with some titles and resources for further reading.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes