Review by Booklist Review
In this follow-up to Buzzing with Questions (2019), a biography about the first Black entomologist, Harrington and Taylor team up again to elevate another Black scientist out of obscurity. Accessible text traces the life of Charles S. Parker, beginning with his childhood in Spokane, Washington, and progressing to his service as a solider in the segregated U.S. Army during WWI. Parker's accomplishments after the war, however, form the focus of this picture-book biography. Although he couldn't afford his own farm, Parker helped others establish theirs and pursued his dream of becoming a botanist. In addition to collecting thousands of plant specimens from all over the country, conducting the first mushroom study by a Black American mycologist (and introducing several new species), and teaching botany at Howard University, he encouraged other students of color, including women, to enter science. Pleasing illustrations with varied layouts lend to the welcoming tone, while robust back matter with additional facts, a time line, archival photos, and mini-bios of other notable Black botanists round out this appealing tribute.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A look at the life and work of an early-20th-century African American botanist. Charles S. Parker, a young plant enthusiast from Spokane, grows up to do pioneering research on ferns and fungi and educate a generation of Black botanists at Howard University in Washington, D.C. This straightforward account of his life covers his experience as a lieutenant in the segregated U.S. Army in France during the First World War and, later, his explorations in the Pacific Northwest, along the banks of the Potomac in Maryland, and even in northern Canada. His studies of one genus of fungi--Hypholoma--yielded new species that now bear his name. Like Harrington and Taylor's previous collaboration, Buzzing With Questions (2019), another picture-book biography of a Black scientist, this one is similarly thorough. Along with Parker's contributions to the field of mycology, Harrington emphasizes his encouragement of young Black scientists. The digital illustrations, done in flat colors with black outlines, help readers understand his studies and depict mostly people of color with varying skin tones. Broken up into paragraphs and set directly on the artwork, the text looks more accessible than it actually may be to younger readers, but the backmatter includes a helpful glossary for the technical terms. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Sure to inspire a passion for all things plant to take root among aspiring scientists. (more information on Parker, timeline, information on other Black botanists and mycologists, photographs, bibliography, photo credits) (Picture-book biography. 7-10) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
