In this book from the critically acclaimed, multimillion-copy bestselling Little People, BIG DREAMS series, discover the life of Rosalind Franklin, the scientist who was crucial to the discovery of the double helix in DNA.
Little Rosalind was born in London to a Jewish family who valued education and public service, and as she grew up her huge intellectual abilities were drawn into the study of science.
Having studied physics and chemistry at Cambridge University, Rosalind moved to Paris to perfect her life’s work in X-ray crystallography. She then moved back to King’s College London, where she would work on finding the structure of DNA with Maurice Wilkins.
It was Rosalind’s “photo 51” that was used by Wilkins to create the first ever double helix DNA model with Francis Crick, although he did not credit for her work due to a falling out between the two, and her work went unacknowledged until after her death.
However, today she is revered as the forgotten heroine of the study of how DNA works, and the “Sylvia Plath of molecular biology”.
This moving 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 brilliant scientist’s life.
Little People, BIG DREAMS is a bestselling biography series for kids that explores 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 of books 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 and paperback versions present expanded stories for beginning readers. With rewritten text for older children, the treasuries each bring together a multitude of dreamers in a single volume. You can also collect a selection of the books by theme in boxed gift sets. Activity books and a journal 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!
Rosalind Franklin is a short illustrated biography of the famed scientist 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 icons of innovation while maintaining an age-appropriate level of detail.
Due out 24th Aug 2021 from Quarto on their Frances Lincoln imprint, it's 32 pages and will be available in hardcover, and ebook formats.
Written by Isabel Sánchez Vegara it's well written in clear accessible language. There is so much information included in this little book. The art by Naomi Wilkinson is appealing and colorful and supports the text very well. The illustrations are active and kinetic and suit the subjects. I especially liked the artist's illustrations of the x-ray diffraction images and the famous "photo 51" which first showed the X-formation of the DNA macromolecule.
Well written and appealing, I am really enjoying all of these little books. This one is a worthy addition.
Five stars. This would make a superlative reading circle book, classroom library book, or gift. Rosalind Franklin died tragically young and I'm impressed by the way this series manages to provide age appropriate biography without emphasizing or detracting from the racism, professional sexism, and troubles she lived through. This would make a great starting point for deeper research for young readers who are interested in STEM subjects, life science, and Franklin's life and legacy.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes
