Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

It was dawn when the chorus began."As a child, Rachel Carson awoke to a symphony of birds, and she listened, watched, and wrote as other animals joined in. Innovative, appealing illustrations show Rachel in comic-book panels, vignettes, and full- and double-page spreads as she explores, observes, and deeply appreciates nature. A profusion of dialogue balloons reproduces the vocalizations of the animals around her. As a student, Rachel intends to write but instead focuses on the microscopic world in a drop of water, which in turn leads to underwater scientific study and, later, well-received books about the sea. However, it's when she realizes that the symphony she loves has grown quiet—effectively represented by both the absence of sound bubbles and negative-space outlines of creatures now disappeared—that she makes her greatest contribution by revealing the destruction caused by pesticides in her book Silent Spring, which contributed to the formation of the EPA and the environmental movement. Resilience and dedication are strong underlying themes here; relevant details, such as her mother's background in music, are seamlessly incorporated; and while the focus understandably stays on her work—her overwhelming success as an activist and scientist in a field dominated by men goes unmentioned—there is certainly room for outside discussion. Carson and her family are white; people of color appear in scenes depicting her impact.The perfect choice to inspire young readers and listeners, with just the right amount of detail to inspire, entrance, and encourage further investigation. (notes, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 5-8)

ALA Booklist (Fri Jun 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

This picture book about revolutionary environmentalist Rachel Carson begins with Carson as a young girl who paid attention to the seasons, sounds, and patterns of nature. She developed a love of writing and, eventually, biology. She was able to combine her interests, which led to the publication of the hugely influential Silent Spring and a national discussion about the relationship between humanity and nature. Though Carson herself did not live long enough to witness the full impact of her work, the author explains the direct connection between Carson and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. Throughout, Carson is presented as curious and receptive, a quiet individual brave enough to face fears in the interest of academia as well as activism. An author's note is included at the end, as well as a bibliography and extensive notes for each page, which flesh out the details of the sparser, comic-style illustrations. The combination of picture-book biography for young readers and detailed reference sources for older children makes this accessible to a wide audience.

Horn Book

Environmental scientist Carson's (19071964) childhood was primarily spent outdoors, and Sisson emphasizes her subject's love of animals, keen observation skills, and enthusiasm for the natural world before turning to Carson's adult work. The illustrations' warm, sunny earth tones and varying compositions--which include the use of panels, circles, and small insets--fill the pages with detail. Further notes about Carson's life round out this informative biography. Bib.

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

It was dawn when the chorus began."As a child, Rachel Carson awoke to a symphony of birds, and she listened, watched, and wrote as other animals joined in. Innovative, appealing illustrations show Rachel in comic-book panels, vignettes, and full- and double-page spreads as she explores, observes, and deeply appreciates nature. A profusion of dialogue balloons reproduces the vocalizations of the animals around her. As a student, Rachel intends to write but instead focuses on the microscopic world in a drop of water, which in turn leads to underwater scientific study and, later, well-received books about the sea. However, it's when she realizes that the symphony she loves has grown quiet—effectively represented by both the absence of sound bubbles and negative-space outlines of creatures now disappeared—that she makes her greatest contribution by revealing the destruction caused by pesticides in her book Silent Spring, which contributed to the formation of the EPA and the environmental movement. Resilience and dedication are strong underlying themes here; relevant details, such as her mother's background in music, are seamlessly incorporated; and while the focus understandably stays on her work—her overwhelming success as an activist and scientist in a field dominated by men goes unmentioned—there is certainly room for outside discussion. Carson and her family are white; people of color appear in scenes depicting her impact.The perfect choice to inspire young readers and listeners, with just the right amount of detail to inspire, entrance, and encourage further investigation. (notes, bibliography) (Picture book/biography. 5-8)