An entertaining and gorgeous picture book biography of scientist and environmental hero Ruth Patrick, one of the first to warn about the dangers of pollution.
An entertaining and gorgeous picture book biography of scientist and environmental hero Ruth Patrick, one of the first to warn about the dangers of pollution.
A brilliant scientist and intrepid explorer, the ecologist Ruth Patrick taught the world how to care for the environment. She studied water pollution long before it became a public concern and gave other scientists the tools to do something about it. Born in 1907, Ruth Patrick was one of the only women in her field when she made her breakthrough discovery about biodiversity and the ecosystem of rivers, forever changing how ecologists understand pollution.
Lyrically, joyfully written, exquisitely illustrated, and full of fascinating details and a rich afterword and timeline, this STEM biography will inspire readers who love the environment to follow their passion and curiosity.
Publishers Weekly (02/24/2025):
Winterbottom spotlights oft-overlooked aquatic ecologist Ruth Patrick (1907-2013) in this eye-opening book, which considers the origins of Patrick’s scientific work and lauds her pivotal role in the study of biodiversity as a gauge of ecosystem health. An unlikely opening line immediately captures attention: \”When Ruth Patrick was five years old, she fell in love with pond scum.\” Narration goes on to describe how the protagonist’s early and enduring fascination with microscopic algae leads her to graduate school studies, of \”her true love, diatoms\” and of water pollution–its lively style making her collection of data feel like a page-turning event. Reagan’s hand-painted watercolor washes mix with digital detailing for absorbing effect: lightly sketched scenes of the figure ankle-deep in water appear alongside delicately starry diatoms and careful depictions of aquatic creatures poised to one day benefit from the scientist’s trailblazing work. More about the figure and a timeline conclude. Ages 6-9.
Format: Hardback
Pages: 48
Imprint: Penguin Young Readers
Publication date: 25/03/2025
Illustrator: Reagan, Susan
