Marie Curie - by Irène Cohen-Janca (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Narrative biography and detailed illustrations combine to explore important moments in Marie Curie's life and the revolutionary mark she made on science"--

Book Synopsis

Discoverer of two chemical elements. Winner of two Nobel Prizes. Provider of X-ray examinations for millions of World War I wounded. Despite her fame, the legacy of Polish-born scientist Marie Curie is often linked more to her husband's work than afforded its own due. Author Irène Cohen-Janca gives voice to Marie as illustrator Claudia Palmarucci imbues the images with an almost chemical irradiation in this American adaptation of an Italian publication that was honored with the BolognaRagazzi Award for Nonfiction in 2020.

Review Quotes

An informational biography is a bit unique for Creative Editions. Still and all, this particular book was the Bologna Prize winner from a couple of years ago. Written for ages 9 and up, it's the story of Marie Curie's life in a mere 56 pages. It presents to you the story of how Marie grew up in Poland and came to Paris. Then we learn how she got into science, met her husband, and became the first woman to win the Nobel Prize and the first PERSON to win a second Nobel Prize. The book even shows her during WWI, performing triage on the injured. All told the book is a big, hefty presentation, but its price is low. Best of all? They added backmatter to the original edition! Good for them!

At a time in which women were frequently absent from higher education classrooms, particularly those pertaining to the sciences, Marie Curie was undeterred from her dreams. As a young girl, Marie was surrounded by educational encouragement at home, even as oppression surrounded her elsewhere. Many difficulties befell her family, but Marie was eventually able to attend university in France where she could study the subjects she so adored. Together with her scientist husband Pierre, the two dramatically enhanced scientific understanding of radium and polonium. And even though Marie's research ultimately claimed her life, her contributions will be forever valuable to the global community. This nonfiction narrative of Marie Curie's life connects readers of all ages to one famous scientist and the many challenges she overcame in order to pursue her dreams. Several sentences appear on each page, and these are printed in small font so as to permit the illustrations to dominate each spread. Though there is a large amount of text in the book, the writing is succinct and clear, making it approachable even for younger elementary school-aged readers. A most notable feature of the book is its illustrations, which were created after painstaking research on the part of the illustrator. Realistic representations of Curie and her surroundings appear on every page, effectively communicating Curie's passion for science as well as the many challenges she faced throughout her life. Readers of all ages will find themselves captivated by the detail in the imagery, and though this is a picture book, it nonetheless provides readers with a rich understanding of Marie Curie's life. This is a high quality addition to biographical nonfiction library collections for elementary school-aged readers.

Marie Curie is known for her incredible scientific contributions, but what led her to that life? Even as a young girl, Curie (born Maria Sklodowski) thirsted for education and knowledge. She was drawn to her father's office, an eclectic space that contained scientific instruments and collections; a lifelike mineral collection and leaf electroscope get their own striking pages. Though Polish girls were officially unable to move on to higher education, a group of intrepid professors created an underground university in Warsaw, providing enough learning and encouragement to eventually see Marie attend the Sorbonne in Paris, and her scientific contributions only increased from there. This attractive Italian import covers her entire life, but the focus on her fascinating younger years make this a standout, from details about her tuberculosis-infected mother to her time waiting to be called to Paris by her older sister. Unusual and sophisticated earth-toned illustrations add a somber but striking note, employing unconventional flat perspectives, intriguing ephemera, and even an X-ray to flesh out the narration. An elegant and illuminating introduction to an extraordinary life.