From School Library Journal
K-Gr 4-This picture book biography kicks off when Canadian fossil hunter Wendy Sloboda is a young student. She loves exploring nature and notices things that other people miss, spying the unusual amidst a field of seemingly ordinary birds, rocks, and plants. Detailed illustrations will inspire readers to notice just such minutiae, from a blue jay feather in her pocket to the brilliant red of a cardinal or toadstool. On a field trip to the badlands near her home, Sloboda falls in love with fossils and, at the age of 12, the course for her life is set. She grows up to work in the paleontology department of a museum and travels the world finding fossils wherever she goes. During one of her fossil hunts, she discovers the skeleton of an unknown horned dinosaur and initiates a four-year-long dig with other paleontologists. The dinosaur is named Wendiceratops in her honor. Back matter includes more biographical details about her life, the Wendiceratops, Canadian fossil discoveries, a glossary, and tips and research resources for students who want to follow in her footsteps. Obvious care has been given to intentionally inclusive illustrations. Each crowd in the book, from the first page depicting Sloboda leaving school, to the ending where a museum group huddles honoring her discovery, features a person using a wheelchair and people with different skin and hair colors, head coverings, and glasses. Beautifully crafted, colorful, and carefree endpapers with a frolicking girl amid trees, animals, and fossils capture the spirit of the book. VERDICT Recommended for early nonfiction collections and any shelf emphasizing STEM titles or biographies of women.-Lauren Youngerα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review
A vivid biographical depiction of history, math, science, and the importance of women in STEM.―Kirkus Reviews (Praise for Emmy Noether)
An entertaining account of a remarkable fossil hunter and an educational journey into the world of dinosaur fossils.―Kirkus Reviews
Recommended for early nonfiction collections and any shelf emphasizing STEM titles or biographies of women.―School Library Journal
A worthy addition to the growing collection of STEM-related picture book biographies of pioneering women.―School Library Journal (Praise for Emmy Noether)
... leaves a strong impact on readers about Noether's impressive achievements, both as a mathematician and as an example of women's intellectual creativity and empowerment―Jewish Book Council (Praise for Emmy Noether)
... this book is a fine addition to a home or school library and one that is inspirational as well as entertaining.―Children's Literature
Dumais's digital art ... showcase[s] the work that goes into paleontology. Becker's easygoing, exclamation-filled prose ... makes Sloboda's interest feel relatable, amplifying the joy of scientific discovery―Publishers Weekly
... an involving, empowering read, great for one-on-one sharing and for school and public libraries.―Canadian Children's Book News
Imagination-inspiring, text for older readers and pictures for all ages ... a great addition to collections ...―CM Magazine
About the Author
Helaine Becker is the bestselling author of more than 90 books for children and young adults, including Counting on Katherine, A Porcupine in a Pine Tree and Emmy Noether. She is a two-time recipient of the Lane Anderson Award and a winner of both the Silver Birch Award and the Red Cedar Award. Helaine lives with her family in Toronto, Ontario.
Sandra Dumais is a children's book illustrator and owner of an online retail shop that sells prints and housewares. The picture books that she has collaborated on have received top honors from the Booksellers' Association of Quebec. Sandra lives with her family in Montreal, Quebec.
