Fossil Hunter: How Mary Anning Changed the Science of Prehistoric Life

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This in-depth, beautifully illustrated biography of Mary Anning sings with the passion and perseverance of the woman herself, who from girlhood on scoured the shifting cliffs of her native Dorset to dig out prehistoric mysteries and make sense of themaltering forever our view of the past. Joyce Sidman, Newbery Honor winner and Sibert Medal winner

A fascinating, highly visual biography of Mary Anning, theVictorian fossil hunter who changed scientific thinking about prehistoric life and would become one of the most celebrated paleontologists of all time. Perfect for children learning aboutwoman scientists like Ada Lovelace, Jane Goodall, and Katherine Johnson.

Mary Anning grew up on the south coast of England in a region rich in fossils. As teenagers, she and her brother Joseph discovered Englands first complete ichthyosaur. Poor and uneducated, Anning would become one of the most celebrated paleontologists ever, though in her time she supported herself selling by fossils and received little formal recognition. Her findings helped shape scientific thinking about extinction and prehistoric life long before Darwin published his famous work on evolution.

With engaging text, photographs, and stunning paleoart,Fossil Hunterintroduces this self-taught scientist, now recognized as one of the greatest fossilists the world has ever known.

Reviews

"Deftly weavingin paleontological and geological facts, this riveting account presents an unflinching look at what it meant to be born poor, uneducated, female, and brilliant, at a time when women were denied the opportunity to become scientists.I couldnt put it down. Sarah Albee, NYT bestselling author of Accidental Archeologists and Bugged "Well-written and thoroughly researched." Kirkus Reviews "A personal and compelling glimpse into an important scientific mind." Booklist "This in-depth, beautifully illustrated biography of Mary Anning sings with the passion and perseverance of the woman herself, who from girlhood on scoured the shifting cliffs of her native Dorset to dig out prehistoric mysteries and make sense of themaltering forever our view of the past." Joyce Sidman, Newbery Honor winner and Sibert Medal winner

Author Bio

Born in Yorkshire, England, Cheryl Blackford developed a passion for fossils and rocks when she was thirteen and would later graduate with a degree in geology. She has been fossil hunting in Lyme Regis and studied Anning artifacts and archival materials in Oxford and Bristol. This is her first biography for children. She lives in Minnesota. cherylblackford.com.