(2) YA Illustrated by Maris Wicks. A graphic format admirably propels this lightly fictionalized group biography of "Leakey's Angels": Jane Goodall (chimps in Tanzania), Dian Fossey (gorillas in Rwanda), and Biruté Galdikas (orangutans in Borneo). In a neat division of labor, the scientists themselves narrate the story while speech balloons and the small, tidy comic illustrations take readers to each moment. The tone is lively but respectful. Reading list. Bib.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: May, 2013

(4) 4-6 Scientists Saving the Earth series. These books offer biographical information about environmentalists. The series' focus is uneven; for example, the Carr volume tells much more about sea turtles than about the man himself while the Carson book relies on lengthy excerpts from her writing to highlight her story. Nevertheless, readers will get a sense of the subjects' importance in their fields. Photographs illustrate the texts. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Scientists Saving the Earth titles: Who on Earth Is Jane Goodall?, Who on Earth Is Dian Fossey?, Who on Earth Is Sylvia Earle?, Who on Earth Is Aldo Leopold?, Who on Earth Is Rachel Carson?, and Who on Earth Is Archie Carr?.

Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo

(4) 4-6 Great Naturalists series. These books introduce readers to four prominent and diverse naturalists. Significant events in each individual's life are highlighted, along with their major accomplishments. Informative sidebars, photographs, and illustrations accompany the texts. Though the writing is choppy, the series is useful for exposing children to these noteworthy individuals and their lasting impact on our world. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these Great Naturalists titles: Charles Darwin, Dian Fossey Joseph Banks, and Steve Irwin.

Reviewer: Aimee Chevrette Bear

(4) 4-6 Scientists Who Made History series. The books in this series capably introduce their subjects, including Marconi's experiments with wireless communication and Franklin's discovery of the structure of DNA. Short subdivisions are illustrated with photos--most relevant and some gratuitous--and other art; sidebars offer direct quotations and expanded explanations, many clear and a few insufficient. Reading list, timeline, websites. Glos., ind. [Review covers these Scientists Who Made History titles: Dian Fossey, Guglielmo Marconi, John Logie Baird, Leonardo da Vinci, Michael Faraday, and Rosalind Franklin.]

Reviewer: Frieda F. Bostian

(4) 4-6 Groundbreakers series. These formulaic biographies offer a basic overview of each subject's life and accomplishments. Illustrations, captioned color photos, and text boxes clutter the pages but help to break up the readable texts. These books will be adequate for report writers, however, those looking for more substance will need to search elsewhere. A time line is included in each book. There are five other books in this series. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman

(2) 4-6 As the subtitle acknowledges, gorgeous color photographs will be the main draw to this biography of the controversial primatologist, but Matthews's text also does a fine job of tracing the life of a troubled woman who found a career and turned it into a mission. Fossey's work with her beloved mountain gorillas is well documented in both text and pictures; the large, spacious format of the book serves both well. Bib., ind.

Reviewer: Roger Sutton | Horn Book Magazine Issue: September, 1998