The fascination of fossils and what they tell of a world long gone by is beautifully portrayed in this biography of Mary Anning, the best known fossil hunter. Brought up in Lyme Regis where fossils abound, from childhood on Mary was skilled at searching out prized finds such as fossilised sea monsters and an Ichthyosaurus, one of the most important finds of her day.
Mary Anning, born in England in 1799, made an astounding discovery at age 12 when she unearthed the first full skeleton of a giant ichthyosaur in the cliffs above her home in Lyme Regis. This incident -- in which she was helped by a little dog she rescued from a cemetery -- was the beginning of a long career that saw Mary become the world's best-known fossil hunter. Best-selling author Laurence Anholt turns Mary's fascinating life into a perfect read-aloud, while Sheila Moxley's luscious pictures vividly evoke the coastal setting and dramas of Mary's exciting life.
'Compelling and atmospheric' Times Educational Supplement
'From cover to cover, a multi-layered treasure' School Librarian
Author
About Laurence Anholt
Laurence Anholt has written over seventy books, many in collaboration with his wife Catherine. They are both highly regarded in the UK and abroad as a successful author/illustrator team, and have had their books translated into many different languages. They met as undergraduates at Falmouth School of Art, and went on to achieve Master’s Degrees from the Royal Academy of Art and the Royal College respectively. The books which they have collaborated on are based firmly within their own family’s experiences, and many of Catherine’s illustrations depict scenes which families will recognise. It is this element which has helped to make their books so successful. Laurence also writes and illustrates his own books, and has written books with other illustrators, notably the Seriously Silly Stories, a topsy turvy series based on traditional tales but with a wonderful new twist. These were hilariously illustrated by Arthur Robins. In this series, Snow White and the Seven Aliens was awarded The Smarties Book Prize, and was shortlisted for the Federation of Children’s Book Groups Children’s Book Award and the Experian Big Three Book Prize. Daft Jack and the Beanstack was on the Sheffield Book Award shortlist and Ghostyshocks and the Three Scares was Pick of the Year for the Children’s Book Award. Laurence writes for a wide range of ages and is one of the most popular authors of today. Catherine and Laurence Anholt live in Lyme Regis with their three children.
