Fossil Huntress: Mary Leakey, Paleontologist

A fascinating picture book biography about Mary Leakey, a paleontologist who worked long hours in the fields of Tanzania--includes STEM activities for real-world learning!

What was the world like millions of years ago? Did early humans walk on all fours? Did giant sloths lie in trees? Did dinosaurs have feathers? Even as a young girl, Mary Leakey was fascinated by questions like these! In Fossil Huntress: Mary Leakey, Paleontologist, readers ages 5 to 8 meet Mary as a girl growing up in France and visiting the site of archeological wonders, such as Pech Merle, Fond de Gaume, and La Mouthe. As an adult, Mary spends much of her life working in the field in Tanzania, making discoveries that change the face of paleontology forever. True grit, passion, and high standards for scientific rigor made Mary a pioneer in the field of paleontology!

- In the Picture Book Biography series, children encounter real-life characters who are thrilled to learn and experiment, eager to make a difference, and excited about collaborating with crew members.

- Age-appropriate vocabulary, detailed illustrations, a timeline, simple STEM projects, such as exploring trace fossils and drawing specimens, and a glossary all support foundational learning for kids ages 5 to 8.

- Perfect for beginner readers or as a read aloud nonfiction picture book!

All books are leveled for Guided Reading level and Lexile and align with Common Core State Standards and National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies. All titles are available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook formats.

Andi Diehn is a writer and editor with an MFA in Creative Writing from Vermont College. She is the author of the Picture Book Science series, Shakespeare: Investigate the Bard's Influence on Today's World, Technology: Cool Women Who Code, and Explore Poetry!, all from Nomad Press. She lives in Enfield, New Hampshire, with her family.

Katie Mazeika is an illustrator with a focus in children's publishing. She loves creating illustrations with a strong narrative that are filled with color and texture. Her illustrations are primarily done in Photoshop. Katie is a member of the SCBWI.