Mary Morland in the Time of Dinosaur Discovery
Jane Kurtz author Giselle Potter illustrator
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Simon & Schuster
Publishing:26th Feb '26
£11.69 was £12.99
This title is due to be published on 26th February, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
Unearth the extraordinary contributions Mary Morland made to 19th-century paleontology by pursuing her passion in spite of society’s expectations in this “delightful” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) picture book biography with a question-and-answer structure perfect for reading aloud.
While other little girls were sipping tea perched on their chairs, Mary Morland was given the freedom to spend her time outside exploring. After her mother died, her father sent her to live with a professor who taught Mary how to examine plants, animals, rocks, and fossils. She soaked up all the knowledge she could and captured her discoveries in her journals. Mary continued studying and drawing fossils into adulthood, becoming a prominent fossil hunter whose finds impressed leading scientists of the day.
Eventually, Mary bonded with William Buckland, England’s best fossilist, over their love of paleontology, and the two got married. Together, they introduced the world to Megalosaurus, the first dinosaur that lived on land. At the time, William received credit for their accomplishments while Mary worked from the shadows. This book shines a spotlight on Mary, celebrating her irrepressible spirit, her unconventional life, and her endless enthusiastic pursuit of prehistoric knowledge.
[Mary Morland’s] remarkable life makes for a sensational story, and the fascinating book makes a point to contrast Mary’s behavior with the societal expectations of the time. It’s as inspirational as it is informative, frequently posing provocative questions along the way. Unusual and arresting illustrations have a nineteenth-century folk art feel, wonderfully capturing her unusual life and scientific sketches. A splendid spotlight on a lesser-known but significant scientific life. -- Booklist * January 2026 *
*Wry interrogative narration energizes this engaging portrait of scientist and illustrator Mary Morland (1797–1857). A picture of the subject as curious about the natural world emerges through mentions of 19th-century social norms (“Did she perch on her chair like a prim little miss? Well, what would you do if the whole world was waiting outside?”). . . . Potter’s signature watercolor scenes suitably evoke the era’s aesthetics. While Kurtz is candid about the way Morland “worked in the shadows,” the overall telling emphasizes the figure’s enthusiastic embrace of the world’s wonders. -- Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW * 11/24/2025 *
*Before the word dinosaur existed, a young female fossilist helped identify the creatures. In Kurtz’s perky prose, Mary [Morland] springs to life as independent, curious, and relatable. Potter’s delicate pastel illustrations evoke the naïve art of the period, as well as its social setting. One image depicts Mary’s many children romping in their “household of chaos.” These scenes perfectly suit the text’s project of relevance and inspiration. A delightful STEAM biography that spotlights a female scientist who deserves to be better known. -- Kirkus STARRED REVIEW * November 15, 2025 Issue *
ISBN: 9781665955546
Dimensions: 279mm x 216mm x 13mm
Weight: 481g
48 pages