HELEN SAWYER HOGG: A LIFETIME OF STARGAZING Michael Webb Mississauga (Ont.), Copp Clark Pitman, 1991. 28pp, paper, ISBN 0-7730-5048-3 (paper) $9.95, ISBN 0-7730-5047-7 (cloth) $11.95. (Scientists & Inventors series). CIP MARIE CURIE: DISCOVERER OF RADIUM Michael Webb Mississauga (Ont.), Copp Clark Pitman, 1991. 28pp, paper, ISBN 0-7730-5044-2 (paper) $9.95, ISBN 0-7730-5043^ (cloth) $11.95. (Scientists & Inventors series). CIP DAVID SUZUKI: SUPERSTAR OF SCIENCE Michael Webb Mississauga (Ont.), Copp Clark Pitman, 1991. 28pp, paper, ISBN 0-7730-5046-9 (paper) $9.95, ISBN 0-7730-5045-0 (cloth) $11.95. (Scientists & Inventors series). CIP Grades 4 to 7/Ages 9 to 12 Reviewed by Marsha Kaiser man. Volume 20 Number 2 1992 March At one time, biographies of famous scientists and inventors with their inspirational messages aimed at chil­dren seemed to be everywhere. Today, it is almost impossible to find them. Author Michael Webb and publisher Copp Clark Pitman, by introducing the "Scientists and Inventors Series," are attempting to fill the niche left open with the disappearance of this type of book. If the rest of the series is as good as the three books reviewed, then I expect the genre to make a come-back. These books are not the usual dry biographies of famous scientists written by people who don't understand science. Rather, they are written by a scientist with a doctorate in chemistry who has taught at all educational levels and who has an obvious love of his subject. The books impart that love without being too smarmy or full of hero worship. Each book shows how the individual scientist overcame personal tragedy and hardship to reach the pinnacle of his or her career. There is Suzuki's experience with racism during the war and his later successes as a media scientist. There is the story of Curie doing research for free, winning a Nobel Prize and inspir­ing her daughter, also a Nobel laureate, to follow in her path. Finally, there is Helen Sawyer Hogg, who to me was the most interesting of all, overcoming the Depression and early widowhood to carve out a career as one of Canada's leading astronomers and winner of our highest honours. Each volume is full of colour as well as black-and-white pictures of the scientists, their work and their places of work. Perhaps the most exciting, however, were the pictures found in the Hogg biography. These include the latest photos of Saturn and Jupiter as well as Halley's comet. In addition, each volume contains a glossary that explains many of the terms and con­cepts found in that volume. These books are well written, well researched and a must for every school library. Highly recommended. Marsha Kaiser man, Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information, Ottawa, Ont.

HOME | TITLES | AUTHORS | MEDIA | AGE/GRADE | FEATURES

1971-1979 | 1980-1985 | 1986-1990 | 1991-1995

The materials in this archive are copyright © The Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copyright information for reviewers

Digital Collections / Collections Numérisees

cm@umanitoba.ca