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Robert F. Sibert Honor Award winner
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A 2020 Outstanding Science Trade Book
A New York Public Library Best of 2019
A 2020 Best STEM Book by NSTA and CBC
For fans of the "Who Was" series, this lively, accessible, and full-color chapter book biography shows how a self-taught scientist was the first to observe the microbial life in and around us. By building his own microscope, Antony van Leeuwenhoek advanced humanity's understanding of our oft-invisible world around us.
Microbes are everywhere: in the soil and oceans, in snow, and inside our bodies. But in Antony van Leeuwenhoek's time, people believed that what they saw with their own eyes was all that existed in the world. How did a simple tradesman-who didn't go to college or speak English or Latin like all the other scientists-change everyone's minds?
Proving that remarkable discoveries can come from the most unexpected people and places, this eye-opening chapter book, illustrated with lively full-color art, celebrates the power of curiosity, ingenuity, and persistence.
About the author
Lori Alexander’s books for young readers include the acclaimed biographies What’s a Germ, Joseph Lister?: The Medical Mystery That Forever Changed the Way We Heal and the Sibert Honor–winning All in a Drop: How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World. She lives in Tucson, Arizona. lorialexanderbooks.com
Summary
Robert F. Sibert Honor Award winner
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A 2020 Outstanding Science Trade Book
A New York Public Library Best of 2019
A 2020 Best STEM Book by NSTA and CBC
For fans of the “Who Was” series, this lively, accessible, and full-color chapter book biography shows how a self-taught scientist was the first to observe the microbial life in and around us. By building his own microscope, Antony van Leeuwenhoek advanced humanity’s understanding of our oft-invisible world around us.
Microbes are everywhere: in the soil and oceans, in snow, and inside our bodies. But in Antony van Leeuwenhoek’s time, people believed that what they saw with their own eyes was all that existed in the world. How did a simple tradesman—who didn’t go to college or speak English or Latin like all the other scientists—change everyone’s minds?
Proving that remarkable discoveries can come from the most unexpected people and places, this eye-opening chapter book, illustrated with lively full-color art, celebrates the power of curiosity, ingenuity, and persistence.
Additional text
? "Engaging illustrations....An attractive, very readable book on an important figure in the history of science."—Booklist, STARRED review "Readable, informative, and a celebration of dedicated curiosity."—School Library Journal "[This book] makes Antony's life's work accessible to a young audience that is sure to be intrigued and inspired....Methodical young scientists will see themselves in the 'Father of Microbiology.'"—Kirkus "Well researched....highly engaging."—Publishers Weekly "Alexander’s text is smooth and engaging, packaged into short chapters perfect for reading aloud, and enhanced with brief inserts of technical and scientific background and Mildenberger’s lively yet soft-textured scenes and vignettes."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books "Alexander’s excellent, accessible overview of Leeuwenhoek’s life gives upper-elementary chapter-book readers a feel for both the person and the historical context." — The Horn Book
