March 6 – National Women’s History Month

About the Holiday

Women have been inventing, discovering, questioning, challenging, and changing the world just as long as men have—but often without recognition, the ability to take jobs in their fields of expertise, or equal (or even any) pay. Established by the United States Congress in 1987, National Women’s History Month serves to educate people on the amazing women who have blazed trails in the past and those who are continuing that tradition today.

This year’s theme is Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future and encompasses a wide understanding of sustainability, including climate change, economic and financial sustainability, community resilience, healthcare disparities, leadership succession, intergenerational equity, and threats to democratic participation. In all these areas, women are at the forefront of sustainable transformation that will carry us into a supportive future for all. To learn more visit the National Women’s History Alliance website.

Thanks to Beach Lane Books and Barbara Fisch at Blue Slip Media for sending me this book!

Mary Morland in the Time of Dinosaur Discovery

Written by Jane Kurtz | Illustrated by Giselle Potter

In the early 1800s, when Mary Morland was a child, girls were seen as “dainty, delicate decorations” who embroidered, arranged flowers, and played with dolls. Mary Morland had other ideas. From the first page, Jane Kurtz allies readers with the spirited Mary through cleverly posed questions that contrast the stifling conventions of her time with the freedoms of today: “Did [Mary] perch on her chair like a prim little miss?” Kurtz posits. “Well what would you do if the whole world was waiting outside? Mary tromped around, exploring. Wouldn’t you?”

“Of course!” kids will say, and off they go, following Mary as, following the death of her mother, her father sends her to live with family friends who encourage her curiosity and teach her to study nature and fossils. From there readers view her drawings of “everything that fascinated her,” and discover that instead of calling herself a “cork-brain” and spending mannerly afternoons sipping tea in a fancy hat, Mary tooled around in her donkey-pulled carriage to “collect shells and fossils.”

Did teenage Mary keep her discoveries to herself? No! She corresponded with Georges Cuvier, a famous French scientist, impressing him with the drawings and specimens she sent. And instead of trying to find a husband, Mary spent her time with old fossils, labeling and mending them. Then one day, she did meet the man she would marry: William Buckland, England’s best fossilist. In fact, it was he who had theorized that a collection of bones had come from a “giant land reptile,” named it Megalosaurus (before the word dinosaur was even created), and asked Mary to draw them for an important meeting of England’s geologists.

After Mary and William were married, did she give up drawing and studying to keep a tidy house? Not at all! She kept exploring, writing, and drawing. She helped William turn his work into books—with her illustrations—and served as a curator for his collections of fossils. And, oh yes! She raised and taught their nine children and welcomed a menagerie of creatures—including a pony her the kids rode around the dining room—into their home! You might wonder: after all this, “did William say, ‘I am so fortunate that my wife is not a cork-brain?'” or acknowledge her contributions on his papers? Well, this was a time when women could not vote, own property, or go to college. So, what do you think? But that didn’t stop Mary from learning and using her gifts wherever she could throughout her life.

Back matter includes an Author’s Note highlighting other women intrinsic to the discovery and understanding of dinosaurs as well as how scientists came to accept that dinosaurs once existed, further resources for young readers, and a selection of resources.

Jane Kurtz combines pluck, humor, and illuminating cultural mores of the past to weave an absorbing biography of Mary Morland, a brilliant paleontologist, writer, and illustrator with whom children will immediately connect. Mary’s personality and intelligence shine from each page, drawing children not only into her life, but into this incredible time of scientific discovery. Readers will be inspired by Mary’s example of self-confidence to set their own path, buck the norm, and prevail over obstacles on their way to success.

Giselle Potter’s illustrations are always a delight, and here she perfectly captures Mary Morland’s singular affinity for exploration, scientific thought, and illustration. In her folk art, watercolor paintings, Potter recreates the fashions, transportation, and traditions of the 1800s as well as Morland’s and her husband’s work. Readers will envy Mary’s children when they get a glimpse of the rambunctious Buckland home. In several instances, Mary’s and William’s facial expressions eloquently (and comically) reveal their innermost thoughts.

Biographical storytelling at its best, Mary Morland in the Time of Dinosaur Discovery will captivate children with its verve and beauty. The book is a must for classroom, school, and public libraries and will become a favorite on home bookshelves as well.

Ages 4 – 8

Beach Lane Books, 2026 | ISBN 978-1665955546

Jane Kurtz was born in Portland, Oregon, but spent most of her childhood in Ethiopia. Jane speaks about being an author at schools and conferences and helped start Ethiopia Reads (EthiopiaReads.org), a nonprofit that has opened the first libraries for children in Ethiopia. She is the author of many books for children, including The Bone Wars, illustrated by Alexander Vidal; What Do They Do with All that Poo?, illustrated by Allison Black; Do Kangaroos Wear Seat Belts?, illustrated by Jane Manning; Anna Was Here; Clara the Triumphant Rhinoceros, illustrated by Claire Messer; and the American Girl book Lanie. You can visit her to learn more at janekurtz.com.

Giselle Potter has illustrated many books, including Once Upon a Fairy Tale House by Mary Lyn Ray, Try It! by Mara Rockliff, All by Himself? by Elana K. Arnold, and Kate and the Beanstalk by Mary Pope Osborne, as well as her own Tell Me What to Dream About, This Is My Dollhouse, and The Year I Didn’t Go to School, about traveling through Italy with her parents’ puppet troupe when she was eight. She lives in Rosendale, New York, with her husband and two daughters. Visit her at gisellepotter.com.

National Women’s History Month Activity

Women’s History Month Coloring Page

Celebrate Women’s History Month with this coloring page! In the letters write the names of women from history and today that you admire!

Women’s History Month Coloring Page

You can purchase Mary Morland in the Time of Dinosaur Discovery from these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop

Picture Book Review

November 8 – National STEM/STEAM Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

November 8^th is National STEM/STEAM Day. This holiday was founded in 2015, and the date was partially chosen for its secret play on words: “NOV 8” can be read as (in)novate! On this day, we highlight the importance of science, technology, engineering, art, and math in education and society at large. This holiday is also meant to uplift voices and perspectives that are often given less representation in STEAM careers and fields of study.

On this National STEM/STEAM Day we review a biography of Santiago Ramón y Cajal, Father of Neuroscience. Despite many people discouraging him along his journey Ramón y Cajal found ways to merge his love for art and observation with his scientific background to create new and important discoveries.

Reviewed by Dorothy Levine

Santiago Saw Things Differently: Santiago Ramón y Cajal, Artist, Doctor, Father of Neuroscience

Written by Christine Iverson | Illustrated by Luciano Lozano

Santiago always had a passion for creating and exploring. As a child in Spain, he spent time creating music and inventing toys with any scraps he could find, drawing elaborate charcoal scenes across neighbors’ walls and racing around his grandfather’s loom shop. There, as “he twirled and tangled woolen thread…. Dust sparked and soared in a kaleidoscope of motion.” Unfortunately, not everybody understood the magic of his creations. Neighbors, and particularly Santiago’s father, believed Santiago’s public displays of art were more bothersome than intriguing.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-santiago-saw-things-differently-drawing-on-wall

Image copyright Luciano Lozano, 2024, text copyright Christine Iverson, 2024. Courtesy of MIT Kids Press.

As Santiago’s father ushered him through many different schools, aiming to leave room for no “distractions” from study, Santiago held on to his artistic practice and passion for exploring the natural world in secret. When once admonished for drawing on the margins of his paper, Santiago was forced to spend time in his school’s dark basement. But, in a stroke of luck, “The room was lit by a wisp of light leaking through an old shutter—just enough for drawing.” Another time, stuck in a classroom with no paper, Santiago used his pencil to unlock the door.

As he grew up, Santiago developed a specific fascination for the human body. At medical school, Santiago observed the way blood vessels in our bodies mirror the canals of the Ebro River near his university. “He saw the human body as a work of art,” a work that replicates in nature and is connected more broadly to the world at large.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-santiago-saw-things-differently-graveyard

Image copyright Luciano Lozano, 2024, text copyright Christine Iverson, 2024. Courtesy of MIT Kids Press.

Years later, when scientists were focused on working out how the tiny connectors (or nerve fibers) in our brains worked, Santiago was able to use his microscope and drawing skills to sort out that the fibers spread in a similar fashion to the young trees he had spent so much of his time drawing and observing. With the help of ink stains, study, and lots of drawings of his observations, Santiago drew new conclusions about neurons and cells that helped scientists across the globe to understand the human brain better.

All because “Santiago saw things differently” he was able to unlock new ways of understanding the brain, gaining him a Nobel prize and the eventual title of the Father of Neuroscience.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-santiago-saw-things-differently-microscope-view

Image copyright Luciano Lozano, 2024, text copyright Christine Iverson, 2024. Courtesy of MIT Kids Press.

Iverson writes a detailed lyrical account of the life of Santiago Ramón y Cajal that is accessible for a wide range of readers. For interested older audiences, the book includes extensive back matter on the Anatomy of a Neuron, more biographical information on Santiago Ramón y Cajal and an explanation of the science behind one scene in the story.

Interwoven with quotes and images from Ramón y Cajal’s original works are Lozano’s masterful swirling illustrations of Santiago and his environment as they both grow and change. Throughout the story, Lozano inserts details for readers to observe and make their own discoveries, such as the dog who follows Santiago throughout his childhood. Lozano illustrates the story mainly in blushing pinks, sky blues and light-yellow browns with accented vibrant greens and darker colors signifying location changes and key turning points in the story. There is a subtle humor helping to lighten the darker parts of Santiago’s life. The tale closes with the image of Santiago face-to-face with a cartoon-like human skeleton (filled with neurons) smiling back at him.

Santiago Sees Things Differently is a celebratory account of innovation, perseverance and appreciation for the often-interdisciplinary nature of outside-of-the-box thinkers. The title page opens with a poignant quote from Santiago Ramón y Cajal himself, encouraging “young investigators” to keep exploring the vast unknown of the natural world and to remember that what is left undiscovered is always larger than what has been already found. Santiago Sees Things Differently provides readers with the empowering knowledge that new perspectives are necessary for new discovery. And that while difference is often looked down upon, it is, often, in fact a superpower.

(This book is available in both Spanish and English versions)

Ages 5 – 9

MIT Kids Press, 2024 | ISBN 978-1536238334

About the Author

Christine Iverson is a physical therapist with a strong interest in neural pathways. She holds a BS in history from the United States Military Academy at West Point, a doctoral degree in physical therapy from Baylor University, and an M.Ed. with a focus in children’s literature from Pennsylvania State University. She lives in Alexandria, Virginia. Visit her at christineiversonwrites. com.

About the Illustrator

Luciano Lozano is a Spanish author, illustrator, and graphic artist. He is the creator of several picture books, including Mayhem at the Museum: A Book in Pictures, and the illustrator of many others, including I (Don’t) Like Snakes by Nicola Davies. He lives in Spain. Visit him at lucianolozano.com.

STEM/STEAM Day Activities

Neuroscience Coloring Pages

Follow Santiago’s footsteps by coloring pictures of different parts of the brain and scientific tools used in the story with these coloring pages from the University of Washington. You’ll also find brain games, plus loads of printable puzzles, worksheets, bookmarks, and even treasure hunts here too! (Coloring pages available in English and Spanish!)

Build a Hands-on Model of a Neuron

Have fun and learn about neurons by making a model! You can use almost any kind of material you like—clay, perler beads, bread dough, or even candy—to make it. So put on your thinking cap and get creative! You’ll find lots of ideas on this page from The University of Washington’s Neuroscience for Kids Page.

celebrate-picture-books-picture-book-review-santiago-saw-things-differently-cover

You can purchase Santiago Saw Things Differently at these booksellers

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop (to support your local independent bookstore)

June 1 – National Dinosaur Day

Posted by Kath Carroll

About the Holiday

Today, we celebrate dinosaurs—those beasts that, although they are of a distant past, remain ever present in our hearts. Their size, diversity, and shear awesomeness make them a favorite of kids, and ongoing discoveries continue to fascinate adults as well. To celebrate, visit a national history museum, watch your favorite dinosaur movies or TV shows, join your kids in playing with their dinos (you know you want to!), and pick up today’s book!

Jack Horner, Dinosaur Hunter!

Written by Sophia Gholz | Illustrated by Dave Shephard

Growing up in Montana, Jack Horner was lulled to sleep by the “crunch, swoosh. Crunch, swoosh” of his father’s gravel business, and as soon as he was big enough to hold a shovel, he began digging. He loved being outdoors, searching for dinosaur bones. He dreamed of being a paleontologist when he grew up. His digging usually only produced rocks, sticks, and dirt, but once he “spied a peculiar rock” and when he had carefully swept the sand aside, he discovered a clamshell. His first fossil find made him look at his backyard differently – as “an ocean covering the land millions of years ago–an ocean filled with ancient beasts.” Jack wanted to find more fossils.