The Girl Who Drew Butterflies by Joyce Sidman

Maria Merian was a 17th century naturalist and artist who worked in Germany, the Netherlands, and Surinam.  Merian became fascinated with insects as a young teenager.  Her step father was a artist, and she learned to draw, plus create her own canvases and paints in his studio.  As she got older, she married an apprentice of her father, but never lost her interest in the natural world.  Her artwork was so outstanding, she published her first book while still in her 20's that contained pictures of flowers and insects.  She later was divorced from her husband and was able to devote herself full time to her research.  In a time when single women were not well respected, she and her daughter traveled to Suriname to observe and paint tropical flowers.  Her subsequent book about the flora and fauna of Suriname was widely acclaimed.

This nonfiction biography by an Newbery honor winner has gained a lot of recognition already this year.  It is carefully researched, well written and very interesting.  It is illustrated with pictures from Merian's own books, along with other historical illustrations and modern photographs.  It is always impressive to me that, even in times when women were not highly respected, some women were just so awesome that society could not help but notice and admire them. (120 p. 2018)