Mary Anning's Curiosity

Reach for this book when your child feels discouraged by a difficult task or when they feel their interests make them an outsider. This historical narrative follows Mary Anning, a young girl in 19th-century England who helped support her family by scouring the dangerous cliffs of Lyme Regis for fossils. Despite her family's poverty and the era's skepticism toward female scientists, Mary's persistence led her to discover the first complete Ichthyosaurus skeleton. It is a powerful story about finding value in what others overlook and the transformative power of grit. Perfect for children ages 6 to 9, it balances the excitement of scientific discovery with the grounded reality of financial hardship and familial love. Parents will appreciate the way it frames science as an act of both curiosity and courage, encouraging children to trust their own instincts even when experts doubt them.