About this item
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.
About the Author
Joyce Sidman is known for her fresh, inventive poetry for children. Her award-winning books include Song of the Water Boatman and Red Sings from Treetops (both Caldecott Honor Books) , and Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night, for which she won a Newbery Honor Award. Her books have been translated into several languages. A recent starred review said, "Sidman's ear is keen, capturing many voices. Her skill as a poet accessible to young people is unmatched." Born in Connecticut, USA, Joyce now lives in the midwestern state of Minnesota, where she teaches poetry-writing to children. Visit her at www.joycesidman.com.
