She Sells Seashells: Mary Anning an Unlikely Paleontologist 
Written by Heidi E. Y. Stemple 
Illustrated by Emily Paik 
Charlesbridge 
Ages 6-9 
Available July 16th, 2024 

“Mary Anning was an unlikely paleontologist […] In fact, Mary wasn’t a paleontologist at all. She was just a girl” (p. 2). Stemple introduces readers to Mary Anning, the world’s first paleontologist. Beginning with Mary’s childhood collecting curiosities, including fossils, to sell in her family’s shop, Stemple describes how Mary’s contributions helped develop paleontology, especially her discoveries of three large prehistoric fossils. She juxtaposes Mary’s life with what her male counterparts were doing in universities and museums in the early 1800s. While Mary was excluded from their academic spaces, she remained dedicated and curious, educating herself by reading scientific journals and dissecting sea creatures at home. Eventually, she discovered the fossils of the Ichthyosaur, the Plesiosaur, and the Pterosaur. Mary’s discoveries of these prehistoric creatures revolutionized scientific thinking, but she wasn’t credited until after her death, when her contributions were recognized by the Geological Society of London.  

Although Stemple is not a paleontologist, her passion for telling Mary’s story comes through clearly as she centers Mary in the story of paleontology. Illustrator Emily Paik uses colorful digital illustrations to show Mary collecting fossils and teaching herself science at home. Paik also uses striking pictures to support Stemple’s descriptions of Mary’s exclusion by depicting Mary’s silhouette or an empty chair among scholars. The cover art highlights Mary by drawing her boldly in front of the shadows of the men she worked with. The back matter includes short sections of biographical information, geology of the area, fossils, and justification for Stemple’s decision to not name any of the men who bought fossils from Mary, stating that “in these pages the men have been left nameless—like Mary had been for much of her career” (p. 31). Although this excludes facts from the story, this literary device cleverly articulates the exclusion that Mary faced throughout her life and career. With its accurate details and eye-catching illustrations that show how Mary continues to inspire curious people today, She Sells Seashells will be a great supplemental addition for teachers making lesson plans on paleontology for primary and intermediate elementary school students.