The Story of Maria Merian

An inquisitive girl in 17th-century Germany, Maria Merian, greatly wondered about the natural world beyond the walls of her home. She was especially curious about the tiny creatures crawling around in the garden. Her curiosity only grew greater when an uncle surprised her with a box of worms. However, these weren’t like the worms digging about in the soil of her mother’s chamomile; these were the larvae of Bombyx mori—silk moths—and they would change the trajectory of Maria’s life. This beautifully illustrated book tells Maria’s story as she becomes a pioneer in science and still inspires people today.

This book is a suggested read-aloud for The Good and the Beautiful Arthropods Science Unit Study.

(Reviewed by Jenny Phillips)