CCBC-Net Archives
Re. Science Books and Gender/Eliza and the Dragonfly
- Contemporary messages sorted: [ by date ] [ by subject ] [ by author ]
From: Meg Rothstein <811.52>
Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2005 12:45:33 -0500
The need for representation of positive female role models is just one of the many reasons why I admire the book Eliza_and_the_Dragonfly, written by Susie Caldwall Rinehart with illustrations by Anisa Claire Hovemann.
The story introduces readers and listeners not only to the life cycle of a dragonfly, but also to some of the fascinating work an entomologist does. Pond life, and all the muck, nymphiness, and sliminess that includes, is not only explained but celebrated by Eliza's fun, intelligent and adventurous entomologist aunt, Doris. Doris is no dainty flower. She squishes around in ponds. When she encounters creepy crawlies, she exclaims, "MAGNIFICENT!" What a refreshing difference this makes for Eliza, whose first reaction to a drangonfly nymph was, "Eeeeew!" With a little mentoring from Aunt Doris, Eliza not only bonds with Horace the dragonfly, but observes Horace with fascination and a careful, newly informed eye as he goes through his life cycle.
A first book for both author and illustrator, I found Eliza_and_the_Dragonfly to be a satisfying, well-written and humorous story, a mesmerizing visual blend of art and accuracy in gorgeously rendered watercolor, and a valuable demystifier when it comes down to the question of who "does" and *can do* science. It also includes a very useful resource section.
Eliza_and_the_Dragonfly was published about a year ago by Dawn Publications in California. Here is their website, which includes interesting newsletters as well as book information: http://www.dawnpub.com/home.cfm
Sincerely, Meg Rothstein Madison, Wisconsin
Quoting Jeanatkins at aol.com:
Received on Tue 12 Jul 2005 12:45:33 PM CDT
Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2005 12:45:33 -0500
The need for representation of positive female role models is just one of the many reasons why I admire the book Eliza_and_the_Dragonfly, written by Susie Caldwall Rinehart with illustrations by Anisa Claire Hovemann.
The story introduces readers and listeners not only to the life cycle of a dragonfly, but also to some of the fascinating work an entomologist does. Pond life, and all the muck, nymphiness, and sliminess that includes, is not only explained but celebrated by Eliza's fun, intelligent and adventurous entomologist aunt, Doris. Doris is no dainty flower. She squishes around in ponds. When she encounters creepy crawlies, she exclaims, "MAGNIFICENT!" What a refreshing difference this makes for Eliza, whose first reaction to a drangonfly nymph was, "Eeeeew!" With a little mentoring from Aunt Doris, Eliza not only bonds with Horace the dragonfly, but observes Horace with fascination and a careful, newly informed eye as he goes through his life cycle.
A first book for both author and illustrator, I found Eliza_and_the_Dragonfly to be a satisfying, well-written and humorous story, a mesmerizing visual blend of art and accuracy in gorgeously rendered watercolor, and a valuable demystifier when it comes down to the question of who "does" and *can do* science. It also includes a very useful resource section.
Eliza_and_the_Dragonfly was published about a year ago by Dawn Publications in California. Here is their website, which includes interesting newsletters as well as book information: http://www.dawnpub.com/home.cfm
Sincerely, Meg Rothstein Madison, Wisconsin
Quoting Jeanatkins at aol.com:
Received on Tue 12 Jul 2005 12:45:33 PM CDT
