Marie Curie

December 18, 2017
In her trademark ornamental art style, Demi illustrates the life of Marie Curie, born in 1867 Poland as Maria Salomea Sklodowska
. Following a stint as a governess, she pursued an unconventional path for women of her time, graduating from the Sorbonne with degrees in physics and mathematics. Marriage to physicist Pierre Curie and having a child didn’t derail Curie’s systematic research into uranium, which Demi describes in detail. Through thoughtful storytelling and sophisticated art, Demi explores the implications, positive and negative, behind Curie’s discovery of polonium and radium. The doll-like figures don’t bring much emotion to the story’s more upsetting moments—Pierre’s death in a traffic accident, the poisoning of factory workers who “painted their teeth and fingernails” with glowing radium paint during the craze that followed the discovery of the element—but Demi brings a distinctive voice to the story of this extraordinary scientist. Ages 4–8.

April 1, 2018

Gr 1-3-An elegant, fact-filled picture book biography of Marie Curie. The iconic scientist's curiosity, intelligence, and determination emerge as standout qualities in the narrative. Many pages contain only a hint of important historical events, such as the telling of the Russian occupation of Warsaw, which may inspire young researchers to probe for more details and for teachers to pose critical thinking questions. Demi's distinctive art style shines, beginning with the attractive turquoise-and-gold cover illustration. Using watercolor and mixed media, Demi includes very fine details to illustrate the lab equipment; but more noticeable are the Eastern European-inspired patterns in the clothing and carpets. Teachers could easily use this as an introduction to the genre of biography or the study of famous scientists. VERDICT A welcome and well-written picture book version of Marie Curie's life.-Maggie Chase, Boise State University, ID

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