Mary Morland in the Time of Dinosaur Discovery
written by Jane Kurtz
illustrated by Giselle Potter
Beach Lane Books, 2026. 48 pages.
Review written September 18, 2026, from a book sent to me by the publisher.
Starred Review
Mary Morland in the Time of Dinosaur Discovery is a picture book biography of a woman scientist who didn’t get much credit in her time. It’s told in a conversational style.
Mary Morland was born in a time of ribbons and lace, when small girls were seen as dainty, delicate decorations to make a room pretty.
Did she perch on her chair like a prim little miss?
Well, what would you do if the whole world was waiting outside?
Mary tromped around, exploring.
Wouldn’t you?
We learn how after Mary’s mother died, she went to live with a scientist and journaled about his collection of fossils and shells and went to discover her own. She sent specimens and drawings to a famous scientist, impressed him, and started a correspondence.
Then she met and married a man also interested in fossils. She did drawings for him, organized his collections, and helped with his work.
Did William say, “I am so fortunate that my wife is not a cork brain”?
Did he say, “Let us make sure your name is on these papers so the world will know your part?”
Did he say, “Without you, my dear, my work would be a shemozzle”?No.
No, he did not.In those days, women couldn’t vote, couldn’t own property, couldn’t go to college.
Mary did important work for science, but she worked in the shadows.
The Author’s Note at the back explains that it’s mostly through the writings of two of her children that we know how much Mary contributed to the work that her husband got credit for. This book shines light on those contributions in a way that children can understand and enjoy.
I think my favorite spread is about Mary’s housekeeping. (It pictures nine children – I would have liked details in the back matter, but I did get the idea.)
Mary chose to be in charge of a household of chaos.
Every room was stuffed with science books and papers and dusty rocks. One time, she said, she tried to clean things up.Never again.
If you tiptoed down the hall, past cages full of snakes and green frogs, would you see an elegant and neat dining room?
Not at all.
Is that a pony running around the table with three of Mary’s laughing children on its back?
Yes. Yes, it is.
janekurtz.com
gisellepotter.com
Find this review on Sonderbooks at: www.sonderbooks.com/Childrens_Nonfiction/mary_morland.html
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Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but the views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.
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