The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science

by Joyce Sidman (Author)

The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science
Reading Level: 6th − 7th Grade

Robert F. Sibert Medal winner

Bugs, of all kinds, were considered to be "born of mud" and to be "beasts of the devil." Why would anyone, let alone a girl, want to study and observe them?

One of the first naturalists to observe live insects directly, Maria Sibylla Merian was also one of the first to document the metamorphosis of the butterfly. In this visual nonfiction biography, richly illustrated throughout with full-color original paintings by Merian herself, the Newbery Honor-winning author Joyce Sidman paints her own picture of one of the first female entomologists and a woman who flouted convention in the pursuit of knowledge and her passion for insects.

  • Booklist Editor's Choice
  • Chicago Public Library Best of 2018
  • Kirkus Best book of 2018
  • 2018 Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book
  • Junior Library Guild Selection
  • New York Public Library Top 10 Best Books of 2018
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Paperback
$12.99

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

Spreads splashed with vibrant, eye-catching paintings of insects and flowers help tell the story of 17th-century German trailblazer Maria Merian. Eschewing the mores of her time, she became a leading botanical artist, naturalist, and (possibly) the world's first ecologist, as she depicted insects--in all their developmental stages--alongside their botanical food sources and helped establish the idea that butterflies and moths come from caterpillars. Sidman (Round) punctuates a well-researched, engaging narrative ("She had the curiosity of a true scientist, the patience it took to raise insects, and the superb artistic skill necessary to share her observations") with excerpts from Merian's journals to bring the courageous artist's own voice into the mix. Eclectic sidebars contextualize the biography (one discusses witch hunts of the era), along with archival images, maps, and full-color photographs. Stages of butterfly metamorphosis (accompanied by a trademark Sidman nature poem) serve as fitting chapter headings and mirror the stages of Merian's life; a chapter titled "Flight" focuses on her groundbreaking research trip to Surinam. An author's note, timeline, bibliography, and index conclude this beautifully designed and expansive portrait of a gifted boundary breaker. Ages 10-12. (Feb.)

Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Starred Review

Gr 5-8--Under the tutelage of her stepfather, artist Jacob Marrel, young teen Maria Sibylla Merian developed her artistic talent and found ways to combine it with her interest and careful observation of caterpillars, moths, and butterflies. In Germany, the Netherlands, and Suriname, from about 1660 to 1710, Merian (some paintings use her married name of Graff) moved from more traditional "lady artist" subjects such as flowers, to depicting the life cycles and habitats of caterpillars, moths, butterflies, spiders, insects, and the natural struggle for survival. At a time when many believed in the spontaneous generation of flying insects, Merian's meticulous observations allowed her to document that eggs became caterpillars which then transformed into butterflies or moths. Sidman starts each chapter with a verse, otherwise telling the story through narrative with ample photographs, etchings, maps, paintings, and reproductions of Merian's botanical art throughout. In pages of boxed text, readers learn a bit about topics that influenced Merian's life, such as printing processes, religion in the 1600s, and slavery in Suriname. The butterfly life cycle, from egg to maturity, was an endless source of inspiration, and is at the center of many of her paintings. The thorough back matter will aid in classroom use. VERDICT An excellent choice for young artists, budding scientists, fledgling entomologists, and fans of biography.--Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley Sch., Fort Worth, TX

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

Robert F. Sibert Medal winner
Booklist Editor's Choice
Chicago Public Library Best of 2018
Kirkus Best book of 2018
2018 Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book
Junior Library Guild Selection
New York Public Library Top 10 Best Books of 2018



★ "A fantastic array of illustrations embellish the text with photos of butterflies, caterpillars, and chrysalises, and lovely images of Maria's artwork and that of her fathers. Meanwhile, exceptional captions identify and establish each illustration's relevance to Maria's life. A vibrant, wonderfully rounded biography on a pioneering and prodigiously talented woman." — Booklist, starred review

★ "An exceptionally crafted visual biography of a pioneering entomologist and naturalist who lived a life devoted to discovery." — Kirkus, starred review

"A marvel of a book, just like the subject, Maria Merian. Reading Sidman's fascinating and beautiful account of Merian's life, we are witness to the miracle of a woman becoming an artist and a scientist in the 17th century. Just as a caterpillar emerges into the world out of its chrysalis, this book brings Merian out of the darkness and into the light."— Deborah Heiligman, author of Vincent and Theo and Charles and Emma, a National Book Award finalist

★"An excellent choice for young artists, budding scientists, fledgling entomologists, and fans of biography."—School Library Journal, STARRED review

★"Excellent reproductions of the gorgeous botanical prints allow readers to appreciate their accurate scientific detail and artistry."—Horn Book, STARRED review

Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780358667933
Lexile Measure
1110
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Clarion Books
Publication date
July 19, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF006050 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Art | Painting
JNF007120 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Women
JNF003250 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Animals | Butterflies, Moths & Caterpillars
JNF051110 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Experiments & Projects
JNF051170 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Science & Nature | Discoveries
Library of Congress categories
History
Insects
Metamorphosis
Scientists
Germany
17th century
Butterflies
Entomologists
Merian, Maria Sibylla
Women naturalists
Scientific illustrators
Scientific illustration
Entomology
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
Winner 2019 - 2019

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