A picture book introduction to the life and career of naturalist and artist Anna Comstock describes how she defied social conventions to pursue the study of science through natural-world observations that eventually led to her Cornell education and advocacy for outdoor scientific instruction. Simultaneous eBook. - (Baker & Taylor)

Examines the life of naturalist and artist Anna Comstock, a woman who defied social conventions, pursued the study of science, and encouraged schools to conduct science classes for children outdoors. - (Baker & Taylor)

"A picture book biography about naturalist and artist Anna Comstock (1854-1930), who defied social conventions and pursued the study of science. She pioneered a movement to encourage schools to conduct science and nature classes for children outdoors, thereby increasing students' interest in nature" -- - (Baker & Taylor)

Winner of the 2018 Green Earth Book Award.This picture book biography examines the life and career of naturalist and artist Anna Comstock (1854-1930), who defied social conventions and pursued the study of science. From the time she was a young girl, Anna Comstock was fascinated by the natural world. She loved exploring outdoors, examining wildlife and learning nature's secrets. From watching the teamwork of marching ants to following the constellations in the sky, Anna observed it all. And her interest only increased as she grew older and went to college at Cornell University. There she continued her studies, pushing back against those social conventions that implied science was a man's pursuit. Eventually Anna became known as a nature expert, pioneering a movement to encourage schools to conduct science and nature classes for children outdoors, thereby increasing students' interest in nature. In following her passion, this remarkable woman blazed a trail for female scientists today. - (Cherry Lake Publishing)

This picture book biography examines the life and career of naturalist and artist Anna Comstock (1854-1930), who defied social conventions and pursued the study of science. She pioneered a movement to encourage schools to conduct science and nature classes for children outdoors. - (Cherry Lake Publishing)

Booklist Reviews

In this picture-book biography, the life of naturalist, artist, and education reformer Anna Comstock is told with easy-to-follow facts, Comstock's own words, and charming illustrations. Comstock was born in 1854, and instead of taking the traditional route for women at the time, she went to college to study "her first love—nature." Comstock's illustrations and engravings were used to teach farmers about insects, and she started a teacher-education program designed to bring children outside. While the text reads a bit like a fictional story, interspersed quotes from Comstock root it in reality. Though not many will be familiar with Comstock, her story is told with such warmth and admiration that readers will be rooting for her the entire time. Lanan's pencil-and-watercolor illustrations are done with affectionate attention to detail; young nature-lovers in particular might delight in the close-up details of different bugs. This sweet biography is perfect for fans of Patrick McDonnell's Me . . . Jane (2011), or any child who relishes the feeling of mud squishing between their toes. Copyright 2017 Booklist Reviews.

Horn Book Guide Reviews

During the late ninteenth century, when few women studied science, Anna Comstock became a Cornell-educated naturalist and artist; she championed the then-revolutionary concept of outdoor nature classes for children. Quiet, reflective prose, interspersed with quotations from Comstock's writings, highlights her passionate connection to nature, while the illustrations' translucent washes of leafy greens and yellows bring the outdoor world to life. "More About Anna" is appended. Copyright 2017 Horn Book Guide Reviews.

Kirkus Reviews

Slade and Lanan bring the biography of scientist Anna Comstock to young readers. A true story about an early champion of nature education, this beautifully illustrated watercolor picture book introduces young readers to Anna Botsford Comstock, a white woman born in 1854. At a time when girls were expected to get married, then stick close to home and take care of their families, Anna's "heart belonged to her first love—nature." She attended Cornell University to study entomology and also honed her artistic craft in drawing insects. Anna Comstock insisted that New York state integrate nature study into classroom lessons and allow children to experience nature while in school. "People thought she was crazy. Didn't she know school rules? Students learn inside. Students play outside!" But eventually, Anna's ideas prevailed, and science and nature remain vital aspects of American education today, in part because of Anna's early advocacy. The story opens with a barefoot Anna s itting on a fallen log, dipping her toes into the water, and it ends with Anna as an old woman, perched on that same log with her feet and the bottom of her skirt dangling in the water. Quotes from her writing augment the illustrations in a complementary display type. The informative backmatter fills in more details about the life and accomplishments of this naturalist, writer, scholar, and forward-thinking female pioneer. An inspirational must-read for budding scientists and those who teach them. (notes, bibliography) (Picture book. 5-8) Copyright Kirkus 2017 Kirkus/BPI Communications. All rights reserved.

Publishers Weekly Reviews

Slade (The Music in George's Head) and Lanan's (The Story I'll Tell) account of the life of artist and naturalist Anna Comstock unfolds against an airy, pastoral landscape, where she observed the local flora and fauna of the countryside. As Comstock grew older, so did her love for science and nature, leading her to study at Cornell and spearhead efforts to get children outdoors at school, where they could examine nature firsthand. Quotations from Comstock are sprinkled throughout, accompanied by Slade's gentle narration: "Anna believed that children should experience nature too. They needed to hold it close in their fingers, feel it squish between their toes." It's a lovely tribute to a pioneering educator. Ages 6–10. Author's agent: Karen Grencik, Red Fox Literary. Illustrator's agent: Edward Maxwell, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. (Mar.)

School Library Journal Reviews

Gr 1–4—Readers are introduced to naturalist Anna Comstock's enthusiasm for nature right from the opening sentence: "From the time she was no higher than a daisy, Anna was wild about nature." Comstock's (1854–1930) early love of the outdoors inspired her course of study at college, where she doubled as an artist and a scientist. Later, she noticed that many young people spent a large amount of time indoors during the school day, so she developed lessons to assist teachers with familiarizing students with wildlife. Comstock's quotes flutter across pages like a butterfly. Her story is sure to motivate teachers and librarians to take their students on a nature walk, while budding naturalists will sprout their own ideas of exploration. A springtime watercolor palette complements the carefully selected quotes. VERDICT There is always room on library shelves for a well-crafted STEM-related picture book biography, and this one is sure to find an appreciative audience "faster than dandelion seeds on a windy day."—Helen Foster James, University of California at San Diego