amysutton's review against another edition
5.0
Oh I love this story about how Margaret Lowman led the way to explore the rainforests and fight for conservation efforts. I learned a lot about how scientific research in rainforests was done. I didn't realize that even as recently as the 70s we didn't know about rainforest systems. This would be a great book to read to launch a rainforest unit or just to spark curiosity in kids. I would love to take one of the rainforest canopy walkway tours. So much interesting content! And the illustrations were absolutely great!
mldavisreads's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
4.25
Picture Book Biography. Meg Lowman is a scientist who studies plants, specifically plants growing in rainforests around the world. Not to be deterred by those who said nobody studied rainforests or that women couldn't take a certain class, Meg made her own way. She went to school in Australia, invented a walkway to be able to walk through the tree canopies, and did all she could to promote rainforests as a haven for biodiversity. Her work took her around the world, to all 7 continents, promoting local stewardship of the forests. Suddenly there were places where the rainforests were more profitable for eco-tourism than for logging. An inspiring look at a trailblazing scientist and a great text to introduce rainforests. Amount of text makes this appropriate for mid to upper elementary school. Back matter includes author's note, photographs of Meg, a diagram of tree layers in the rainforest, bibliography, and source notes for quotes.
mckenzierichardson's review against another edition
4.0
For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle
A fascinating non-fiction picture book about the life and work of Margaret Lowman, aka "Canopy Meg". The book gives an overview of her childhood, education, scientific discoveries, and conservation work all while providing interesting facts about the rainforest and animals/plants that live there and quotes from Canopy Meg herself.
The illustrations are beautiful, full of lush colors. They really capture the wonder and mystery of the rainforest.
This picture book is a bit long, but provides a great biography and look at the rainforest. Good fit for older children, especially those interested in plants, animals, and science.
A fascinating non-fiction picture book about the life and work of Margaret Lowman, aka "Canopy Meg". The book gives an overview of her childhood, education, scientific discoveries, and conservation work all while providing interesting facts about the rainforest and animals/plants that live there and quotes from Canopy Meg herself.
The illustrations are beautiful, full of lush colors. They really capture the wonder and mystery of the rainforest.
This picture book is a bit long, but provides a great biography and look at the rainforest. Good fit for older children, especially those interested in plants, animals, and science.
abigailbat's review against another edition
This is a wonderful picture book biography of a female field biologist who studied rainforest trees and worked to protect them from deforestation. Pair it with The Wisdom of Trees for readers interested in knowing more about the world of plants. Pair it with Seeds of Change for readers interested in knowing more about female environmentalists. Pair it with The Watcher for readers interested in knowing more about female field biologists.
elizabethlk's review against another edition
3.0
The Leaf Detective is a very solid picture book biography of Margaret "Canopy Meg" Lowman, who was among the first recorded to ever study rainforest canopies and the plant, animal, and insect life there. The illustrations of the people and animals are cute and the artwork on the plantlife is gorgeous. There's lots of interesting and important fun facts included in the story about Lowman's scientific career, as well as her career as a conservationist protecting the rainforests of the world.
It could have been a five star read, but it's a bit too whitewashed for that. Indigenous knowledge is recognised in the book from the peoples of the Amazon rainforest, but Indigenous knowledge is not recognised in the book in regards to the peoples of the Australian rainforests, and the narrative for African countries leans towards white-saviourism.
Although I learned from it, I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this one, but it's still worth a read for those picking it up anyway, especially if you pair it with other books on science, conservation, and Indigenous knowledge.
It could have been a five star read, but it's a bit too whitewashed for that. Indigenous knowledge is recognised in the book from the peoples of the Amazon rainforest, but Indigenous knowledge is not recognised in the book in regards to the peoples of the Australian rainforests, and the narrative for African countries leans towards white-saviourism.
Although I learned from it, I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this one, but it's still worth a read for those picking it up anyway, especially if you pair it with other books on science, conservation, and Indigenous knowledge.
libraryrobin's review against another edition
3.0
From a shy and quiet little girl who loves trees, Meg grows into a leading scientist and researcher on the rainforest, innovating and inventing throughout her career.
Very interesting and inspiring! She has advanced study in her field and educated the world.
Very interesting and inspiring! She has advanced study in her field and educated the world.
scostner's review against another edition
3.0
Meg was always interested in leaves. "She built tree forts, collected twigs, leaves and wildflowers to study and identify, to press and label." The narrative of the book traces her passion for science from those childhood adventures to her graduate studies in the rainforests of Australia. Her ingenious solution to reaching the upper canopies opened "a new frontier - mysterious and unexplored." Illustrations show scenes of life over one hundred feet above the ground, as well as naysayers on the ground waving their arms and saying, "Women don't climb trees." The book also shows the canopy walkway designed by Meg and her friend Peter O'Reilly, which can be used by tourists to visit the canopy. Details of threats to the rainforest and how canopy tourism can support economic growth in areas that have previously suffered from clearcutting for timber or farmland.
Several features provide helpful details. Additional facts are shared in leaf shapes in the corners of various pages. Quotes from Meg are shown in a different color of font from the main text to help them stand out. An author's note includes photos of Heather Lang trying out the tree climbing harness Meg invented, as well as a photo of both women in the Amazon canopy in Peru. There is also a spread which shows the layers of the rainforest with descriptions of each layer and examples of the life found there. And a bibliography includes video references and the URL for Meg's website - both of which may prove useful for readers to explore on their own.
A great title for those who enjoy picture book biographies or stories of women in STEM careers.
Several features provide helpful details. Additional facts are shared in leaf shapes in the corners of various pages. Quotes from Meg are shown in a different color of font from the main text to help them stand out. An author's note includes photos of Heather Lang trying out the tree climbing harness Meg invented, as well as a photo of both women in the Amazon canopy in Peru. There is also a spread which shows the layers of the rainforest with descriptions of each layer and examples of the life found there. And a bibliography includes video references and the URL for Meg's website - both of which may prove useful for readers to explore on their own.
A great title for those who enjoy picture book biographies or stories of women in STEM careers.