Evelyn The Adventurous Entomologist: The True Story Of A World-Traveling Bug Hunter
by Christine Evans; illus. by Yasmin Imamura
40 pages; ages 5 – 10
The Innovation Press, 2019
“Back in 1881 when Evelyn Cheesman was born, most people thought girls should be quiet, clean, and covered with lace.”
They definitely weren’t supposed to kneel in the dirt and hunt for bugs – but Evelyn did. She loved insects and other animals, and wanted to be a veterinarian. But in the early 1900s, women weren’t allowed to become veterinary doctors. They weren’t even allowed to vote! So Evelyn worked as a veterinary nurse until one day she learned that the London Zoo’s insect house needed a keeper. Evelyn applied and soon found herself scooping insects from ponds and collecting caterpillars, beetles and other buggy creatures to fill the tanks of the insect house. And when that wasn’t enough, she went on collecting adventures around the world to find new arthropods for the Insect House.
What I like about this book: I am passionate about bugs – and illustrator Yasmin Imamura fills this book with them, from the end papers to illustrations. I love the story about Evelyn and can only imagine having to fight my way free from a sticky curtain of spider webs (which she has to do on one of her adventures).
I like the way author Christine Evans weaves fun images into the story: crowds swarming into the insect house, and bugs creeping, sliding, scurrying. And I really like the way she portrays Evelyn as an intrepid and curious explorer graced with an indomitable spirit.
And there is back matter: more information about Evelyn, an interview with an entomologist, and a list of books and other resources for curious readers who want to know more.
Head over to Archimedes Notebook for some hands-on Beyond the Book entomology activities. This review is from a copy provided by the publisher.
It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)
Copyright © 2019 Sue Heavenrich All Rights Reserved.
I will definitely be looking for this one!