The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science

Robert F. Sibert Medal winner

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.

Booklist Editor's Choice
Chicago Public Library Best of 2018
Kirkus Best book of 2018
2018 Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book
Junior Library Guild Selection
New York Public Library Top 10 Best Books of 2018


Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Published: 02/20/2018
ISBN: 9780544717138
Pages: 160
Weight: 1.18lbs
Size: 9.10h x 7.10w x 0.80d
Award: Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award - Winner

Review Citations: Booklist 10/15/2017 pg. 42
Kirkus Reviews 11/15/2017 pg. 198
Publishers Weekly 11/20/2017
School Library Journal 12/01/2017 pg. 124
Horn Book Magazine 01/01/2018 pg. 106
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 02/01/2018
BookPage 03/01/2018
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2018 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style

Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 196200 / Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science
Reading Level: 7.7 / Interest Level: Middle Grade / Point Value: 2