Summer Birds: The Butterflies of Maria Merian is an enchanting picture book biography of 17th-century naturalist, Maria Merian. The illustration is breathtaking and the story is compelling.
“In the Middle Ages, people believed that insects were evil, born from mud in a process called spontaneous generation. Maria Merian was only a child, but she disagreed. She studied caterpillars in secret…” (taken from dust jacket cover)
Living in a time when the scientific study of the natural sciences was in its infancy, Maria Merian knew that the superstitions surrounding butterflies and moths were based in misunderstanding. Her fascination with the “summer birds” as butterflies and moths were called, drove her to capture caterpillars and study them.
Maria collected living specimens and observed them. She studied her collection, noting their life cycles and drawing them in their various beautiful stages of development.
The pursuance of this understanding was risky. If the people of her time had known what she was doing, they would have labeled her a witch. In the 17th century, people thought that the metamorphosis of creatures was magical, akin to shape-shifting. They were convinced that such abilities were something from the devil.
Maria Merian went on to become a famous artist and scientist. Her work was highly regarded by forward thinkers like Russian Czar Peter the Great.
Excellent for nature study, history, or just for the joy of reading aloud, this book is lovely.