Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian

 

Author: Margarita Engle
Illustrator:   Julie Paschkis
Publisher:  Henry Holt and Company
Publication Year:   2010
Location: Knox County Public Library- Lawson McGhee

Awards:   Capitol Choices Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens, Booklist & Kirkus starred reviews

Summary: Told in an engaging first person voice, this is the story of a girl of the Middle Ages who defied conventional wisdom in order to study butterflies. In that time, people believed that they were evil insects born in mud, but Maria did not believe that. She observed caterpillars and realized that they changed into butterflies. She painted what she saw and dreamed of a day where people would understand the life cycles of animals that go through metamorphosis. The folksy gouache paintings perfectly illustrate the world of Merian and the spreads on black backgrounds are especially striking.

Classroom Ideas: classroom study of metamorphosis of caterpillars to butterflies, life cycles, scientists, women pioneers

Extras: a historical note about Maria Merian

Mermaid Queen: The Spectacular True Story of Annette Kellerman, Who Swam Her Way to Fame, Fortune, & Swimsuit History

Author: Shana Corey
Illustrator:   Edwin Fotheringham
Publisher:  Scholastic
Publication Year:   2009
Location: Knox County Public Library- Lawson McGhee

Awards:   Bank Street College Best, Cybils Nonfiction Picture Book finalist, Parents Magazine Best Books, Junior Library Guild

Summary:  Annette Kellerman was the founder of water ballet and first to wear a female racing swimsuit and this is her story.  Her parents were music teachers but Annette learned to swim early in order to strength her weakened legs. She invented water ballet and tried to do an exhibition in London. To get people to realize that girls could be athletes, she attempted to swim the English Channel. Even though she didn't make it all the way to France, everyone was impressed and started to call her the mermaid queen. Eventually many women started following Annette's lead and wearing the racing suits to the beach. The swirling text choices along with the spiraling illustrations resemble water. The spreads are gorgeous with vibrant, rich colors, each based on either a warm or a cool palette.

Classroom Ideas: Biography, classroom study of women pioneers, women's rights,

Extras: Author's note with a photograph of Annette Kellerman, Sources quotations