The fossil whisperer How Wendy Sloboda discovered a dinosaur

With this personable biography, Becker and Dumais shine a spotlight on Canadian paleontologist Wendy Sloboda (b. 1970), who found her first fossil at age 12. Centering on Sloboda's most significant discoveries and her "rare eye for the unusual," the chronological book begins with the figure as an inquisitive schoolchild who, during a field trip to Alberta's badlands, spots fossilized coral. Other discoveries follow, including a shard of fossilized eggshell (which led researchers to the location of pristine fossilized Hypacrosaurus eggs and embryos) and a full skeleton from the late cretaceous (dubbed the Wendiceratops). Dumais's digital art has a hand-colored feel; cheerful scenes primarily showcase the work that goes into paleontology. Becker's easygoing, exclamation-filled prose, meanwhile, makes Sloboda's interest feel relatable, amplifying the joy of scientific discovery. Extensive back matter includes further information, timeline, activity, glossary, and more resources. Ages 4--8. (June)

K-Gr 4--This picture book biography kicks off when Canadian fossil hunter Wendy Sloboda is a young student. She loves exploring nature and notices things that other people miss, spying the unusual amidst a field of seemingly ordinary birds, rocks, and plants. Detailed illustrations will inspire readers to notice just such minutiae, from a blue jay feather in her pocket to the brilliant red of a cardinal or toadstool. On a field trip to the badlands near her home, Sloboda falls in love with fossils and, at the age of 12, the course for her life is set. She grows up to work in the paleontology department of a museum and travels the world finding fossils wherever she goes. During one of her fossil hunts, she discovers the skeleton of an unknown horned dinosaur and initiates a four-year-long dig with other paleontologists. The dinosaur is named Wendiceratops in her honor. Back matter includes more biographical details about her life, the Wendiceratops, Canadian fossil discoveries, a glossary, and tips and research resources for students who want to follow in her footsteps. Obvious care has been given to intentionally inclusive illustrations. Each crowd in the book, from the first page depicting Sloboda leaving school, to the ending where a museum group huddles honoring her discovery, features a person using a wheelchair and people with different skin and hair colors, head coverings, and glasses. Beautifully crafted, colorful, and carefree endpapers with a frolicking girl amid trees, animals, and fossils capture the spirit of the book. VERDICT Recommended for early nonfiction collections and any shelf emphasizing STEM titles or biographies of women.--Lauren Younger

The story of a real-life fossil hunter. Growing up, Wendy Sloboda had an unusually keen eye for spotting things in the natural world. On a class field trip to the badlands, near her hometown of Alberta, Canada, the 12-year-old found a piece of fossilized coral and learned from her teacher that this now arid area was once an underwater sea. Wendy continued to explore, and when she was 17, she discovered a fossilized dinosaur eggshell, which prompted a full-blown paleontological excavation. Since becoming a paleontology technician, Wendy has traveled the world and discovered thousands of dinosaur fossils, including a new species--named after her--the Wendiceratops. The book's colorful illustrations both enliven the narrative and, through their simplicity, feel completely accessible to young readers. A notable design feature is a double-page foldout that takes readers from the present-day desertlike area of the Alberta badlands to (when the pages are unfolded) the same area 80 million years ago. Another foldout opens an illustration of a fossilized dinosaur egg to show the embryo contained within. Wendy is light-skinned; secondary illustrated characters vary in terms of skin tone and ability; one character wears a hijab. Copious backmatter includes more information about Wendy, fossil formation, how to find fossils, and more. (This book was reviewed digitally.) An entertaining account of a remarkable fossil hunter and an educational journey into the world of dinosaur fossils. (glossary, books and websites) (Informational picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.