Rare Treasure: Mary Anning and Her Remarkable Discoveries Tapa dura - 1999

Brown (One Giant Leap, 1998, etc.) opens with the thrilling incident from Mary's infancy: while her nursemaid and two companions died under a tree struck by lightning, Mary survived. Taught by her father to hunt for fossils on the rocky beaches and cliffs near Lyme Regis, Mary continued to do so after his death, to help support herself and her family. Without formal education, she studied and read and always pursued fossils, despite physical danger. Richard Owens, the scientist who coined the word dinosaur,' came to hunt fossils with her. Brown's prose has a light and poetic touch, and his watercolors, with their dramatic vistas, small figures, and fossil sketches, suit the tone nicely. He effortlessly imbues a small, appealing package with a lot of information, and a little inspiration besides. Kirkus Reviews

"Aspiring scientists will be encouraged by this inspiring portrayal of a woman who made a childhood passion into her life’s work.” Publishers Weekly

“A vibrant piece of nonfiction.” The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books