Mary Anning and Paleontology for Kids

Overview

Mary Anning was only 12 years old when she excavated the skeleton of an unknown animal.
The discovery of the ichthyosaur was the dawn of a new age of science called paleontology, and Anning became one of the leading experts in the study of dinosaurs. Her discoveries helped lay the groundwork for Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution and changed the way scientists understood the past.
Unfortunately, as a woman of the 1800s, Anning received almost no recognition for her contributions, which were instead credited to the male naturalists who had purchased her specimens.
Author Stephanie Bearce brings Anning’s remarkable work to life for young readers with research and projects that allow children to experience hands‑on science as Anning did.
Kids will create fossil models in plaster and use tools to extract them, build a Mesozoic diorama of a dinosaur habitat, grow crystals in an eggshell to observe how geodes are formed, and much more!

Reviews

“Mary Anning and Paleontology for Kids by Stephanie Bearce provides an in-depth and fascinating look at the life and amazing discoveries of Mary Anning, which not only helped create the new scientific field of paleontology but challenged long-held beliefs and theories about the natural world. Budding paleontologists will also enjoy the 21 hands-on experiments and thought-provoking activities included in this well-researched and engaging book.” —Linda Skeers, author of Dinosaur Lady

An informative introduction to Anning — Booklist

Author Biography

Stephanie Bearce is an avid fossil collector, the award‑winning author of 35 nonfiction books for children, and an educator with over 20 years’ experience in the classroom. She is a frequent presenter at regional and national education conferences, literature festivals, science camps, and school districts around the country. She was awarded the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators’ Crystal Kite award for her Top Secret Files of History series World War II title. Her series Twisted True Tales from Science was selected for the National Science Teaching Association recommended reading list. She lives in the St. Louis, Missouri, area.