Fossil Hunter

Ages 10 And Up, Grades 5 And Up

A fascinating, highly visual biography of Mary Anning, the Victorian fossil hunter who changed scientific thinking about prehistoric life and would become one of the most celebrated paleontologists of all time. Perfect for children learning about women scientists like Ada Lovelace, Jane Goodall, and Katherine Johnson.

They call one of her fossil finds a snakestone. And another a crocodile.But England has no native crocodiles, so how can the fossilized bones of one be embedded in its sea cliffs? And those coiled snakestones? They have no heads or vertebrae, just a series of beautiful inner chambers. So how can they be the remains of snakes?Decades before Darwin would famously publish his theories of evolution, Mary Anning digs, hammers, and hauls…exposing fossils that have been hidden in the rocks for millions of years. She studies fossil anatomy and expertly prepares her specimens for sale. Mary achieves something that most women of her time haven’t heard of—independence and a career. Her findings stir debate among male scholars: Did mysterious, frightening animals once swim in a sea that covered much of England? If they did, what happened to them? How ancient is our Earth?With stunning paleoart, this fascinating and beautifully crafted biography tells the story of one of the greatest fossilists the world has known: the celebrated paleontologist Mary Anning.

About the Author

Born in Yorkshire, England, Cheryl Blackford developed a passion for fossils and rocks when she was thirteen and would later graduate with a degree in geology. She has been fossil hunting in Lyme Regis and studied Anning artifacts and archival materials in Oxford and Bristol. This is her first biography for children. She lives in Minnesota. Visit her at cherylblackford.com.