Review by Booklist Review
Demi recounts the life of this double Nobel laureate (in physics and chemistry), focusing on her childhood in Russian-occupied Poland, her higher education at the Sorbonne in Paris, and her research (along with husband Pierre) into the properties of radium and polonium. She emphasizes how unusual a career in science was for a woman of this era (1867-1934), and notes Curie's complete dedication to her work (following Pierre's death, she assumed his teaching duties, in addition to continuing her own research). The watercolor and mixed-media artwork contains many period architectural details, particularly of Warsaw and Paris. Backgrounds are often rendered in soft, pastel shades, while foregrounded human figures are depicted using vivid hues and intricate patterning. The author touches on both the good (x-rays and cancer treatments) and ill effects (radiation poisoning, which probably caused Curie's own death) of this scientist's discoveries, and concludes with a time line, glossary, and further reading. A worthy STEM purchase, especially for readers not quite ready for Kathleen Krull's Marie Curie (2007).--Weisman, Kay Copyright 2018 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In her trademark ornamental art style, Demi illustrates the life of Marie Curie, born in 1867 Poland as Maria Salomea Sklodowska . Following a stint as a governess, she pursued an unconventional path for women of her time, graduating from the Sorbonne with degrees in physics and mathematics. Marriage to physicist Pierre Curie and having a child didn't derail Curie's systematic research into uranium, which Demi describes in detail. Through thoughtful storytelling and sophisticated art, Demi explores the implications, positive and negative, behind Curie's discovery of polonium and radium. The doll-like figures don't bring much emotion to the story's more upsetting moments-Pierre's death in a traffic accident, the poisoning of factory workers who "painted their teeth and fingernails" with glowing radium paint during the craze that followed the discovery of the element-but Demi brings a distinctive voice to the story of this extraordinary scientist. Ages 4-8. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1-3-An elegant, fact-filled picture book biography of Marie Curie. The iconic scientist's curiosity, intelligence, and determination emerge as standout qualities in the narrative. Many pages contain only a hint of important historical events, such as the telling of the Russian occupation of Warsaw, which may inspire young researchers to probe for more details and for teachers to pose critical thinking questions. Demi's distinctive art style shines, beginning with the attractive turquoise-and-gold cover illustration. Using watercolor and mixed media, Demi includes very fine details to illustrate the lab equipment; but more noticeable are the Eastern European-inspired patterns in the clothing and carpets. Teachers could easily use this as an introduction to the genre of biography or the study of famous scientists. VERDICT A welcome and well-written picture book version of Marie Curie's life.-Maggie Chase, Boise State University, ID © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Demi brings her inimitable style to the life of legendary scientist Marie Curie. From her early years growing up in a scholarly Polish family (and nicknamed Manya) through her education in France and her work on radioactivity with her husband Pierre, Curie constantly engaged in scientific inquiry, taking risks and bending convention in pursuit of knowledge. In a clear, matter-of-fact text, Demi describes Curies remarkable accomplishments: Manya figured out how to read at just four years oldshe graduated first in her class, with an advanced degree in physics and a scholarship for the next year. The gold-tinged illustrations are flat in aspect and, like the text, serious, yet adding texture and detail, particularly of the laboratories in which Marie, Pierre, and even their young daughter Irne worked. Marie Curie, clad in dresses in bright colors or textile patterns reflecting her Polish heritage, literally stands out from the throngs of dark-suited men. Emotional moments such as the deaths of Curies mother and husband are no less impressively conveyed. A timeline, glossary, and further reading list are appended. danielle j. ford (c) Copyright 2018. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
