School Library Journal Starred Review (Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Gr 2–4— What can one determined person do? A lot, it turns out! This narrative biography of Nobel Prize–winning Dr. Katalin Karik&3; tells of her life and study of RNA, as well as the application of the mRNA to the COVID vaccine. Karik&3; demonstrates her persistence to learn and understand the science of mRNA throughout her entire life, from her early days in Hungary in a one-room house without electricity or indoor plumbing, to her university days where she had to learn English in order to take the classes she wanted, to her exodus from Hungary to the U.S. Using this depth of knowledge, Karik&3; was able to connect her learning to create a vaccine for COVID-19. The folkloric artwork gives a feeling of humanity to the book, allowing readers to connect on a more personal level to the narrative. Teachers will want to use this story as model of perseverance and dedication for their lessons; elementary readers will like learning that overcoming obstacles still matters. An author's note, time line, and sources are included. VERDICT This narrative biography about one of the creators of the COVID-19 vaccine will be an excellent addition to collections needing modern biographies.— Debbie Tanner

ALA Booklist (Wed Dec 06 00:00:00 CST 2023)

Growing up in Hungary, Kati Karikó was curious and hardworking. As a child, she decided to become a scientist. She was particularly fascinated by the human body and how it works. At a Hungarian university, she received a doctorate in biochemistry, and in 1985, she, her husband, and their young daughter fled Hungary for the U.S. with their life savings sewn into the body of the child's teddy bear. Karikó continued conducting research on the use of mRNA to carry "messages" to cells, instructing them about creating antibodies to fight specific diseases. Karikó's work was a vital part of the creation of vaccines to help people's bodies deal with COVID-19. Besides including a time line and a message from Dr. Karikó, the back matter credits other scientists for their contributions to the COVID-19 vaccines. Mildenberger's illustrations portray people in a naive yet perceptive style while filling the pages with soft colors and forms. Concisely telling Karikó's life story, Hoyt emphasizes that dedication, collaboration, and hard work were crucial to her success. An informative picture-book biography.

Kirkus Reviews

The story of a Hungarian-born researcher whose childhood fascination with science led to a central role in the development of one of the first effective vaccines against the Covid-19 virus.In a personal message at the end, Katalin Karikó herself urges young people, girls especially, who dream of becoming scientists to go for it! Her story, as Hoyt tells it, reflects that determined attitude-tracing a career that included emigrating from Hungary to the United States (with forbidden but needed cash secretly stuffed into her daughter's teddy bear) and sticking to studies of cellular biology through years of funding difficulties and failed experiments. If her prose does sometimes take a giddy turn ("But Kati's mind never took a break. Messenger RNA danced through her dreams and filled up her days"), the author presents clear pictures of her subject's character as well as achievements, culminating in a suspenseful account of the vaccine's human trials in 2020. Along with fuller explanations of DNA, messenger RNA, and how mRNA vaccines work, the backmatter includes nods to colleagues and photos…including one of that teddy bear. The light-skinned cast in Mildenberger's bright, transparently hued illustrations gives way to a more diverse one in later scenes of isolated families and masked medical workers. (This book was reviewed digitally.)An inspiring profile of a scientist making history. (timeline, source list) (Picture-book biography. 7-9)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Hoyt stresses perseverance in this moving biography of scientist Katalin Karikó (b. 1955), whose against-the-grain mRNA research resulted in a game-changing coronavirus vaccine. Beginning with the Hungarian protagonist’s early days living in a one-room house without running water, detailed text emphasizes Karikó’s arc to professional success, including learning English for university, moving to America, and navigating a seemingly never-ending lack of support—both financial and intellectual—for her work. Washed in dusty grays and hazy blues with warm highlights, Mildenberger’s smudgy mixed-media illustrations have a somber vibe, while squiggly cell illustrations spotlight the science behind Karikó’s discoveries. The story takes a momentous turn with the arrival of Covid-19: “with more than thirty-five years of experience, mounds of research, and thousands of lab experiments behind her, Kati was ready,” and the rest is recent history. Back matter includes a note from Karikó and more about the science behind the vaccine. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)