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Heather and Meg in the Amazon treetops
The Leaf Detective
How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest
Meg Lowman was always fascinated by the natural world above her head. The colors, the branches, and, most of all, the leaves and mysterious organisms living there.
As a scientist, Meg set out to climb up and investigate the rainforest tree canopies. To be the first scientist to do so. But she encountered challenge after challenge. Male teachers would not let her into their classrooms. The high canopy was difficult to get to. And worst of all, people were logging and clearing the forests.
Meg Lowman never gave up or gave in. She studied, invented, and persevered, not only creating a future for herself as a scientist, but making sure that the rainforests had a future as well.
WATCH!
FUN FACTS FROM THE FIELD
WITH THE LEAF DETECTIVE
I learned so much from Meg during our adventures in the Amazon rainforest in Peru. I took these short videos so I could share with you Meg’s answers to some of my many questions about plants, animals, and saving our rainforests.
Praise for The Leaf Detective
“Meg Lowman or ‘Canopy Meg’ is a true hero, a courageous explorer, who made amazing discoveries high in the forest canopy.
The Leaf Detective captures the magic of that little-known world with its clear, informative text and fabulous illustrations. Young readers everywhere will be fascinated and inspired to learn more about nature.”
—Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace
“Margaret Lowman is a pioneer scientist in a discipline that demands exceptional imagination, courage, and physical rigor. But of equal importance, she has created an extraordinarily important branch of environmental and conservation research. Heather Lang and Jana Christy, in this charming introduction, have invited us to climb on up and visit her.”
—Edward O. Wilson, Pulitzer Prize winner and Professor Emeritus, Harvard University:
“[A}n exciting tale of exploration and adventure that will capture the attention of budding scientists and environmentalists alike.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“This picture book, equal parts biography of Margaret ‘Meg’ Lowman and informational text about the rainforest, is pure joy. It’s informative, interesting, and provides an account of a real woman who never gave up on her dreams in the face of significant obstacles.”
—School Library Connection
“Lang’s well-balanced coverage shares with audiences the vigor and daring that boosted Lowman into the canopy…and the global activism that now leads her to propose and develop sustainable commercial uses for protected rainforests.”
—Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books
Reviews, Interviews, and Activities
Carol Baldwin’s Blog—review
The Picture Book Buzz—interview by Maria Marshall
Archimedes Notebook—review by Sue Heavenrich plus Q&A
PictureBooks4Learning—review
Mrs. Yingling Reads—review
Mrs. Knott’s Book Nook—review by Michele Knott plus Q&A
Growing with Science—review and excellent activity suggestions by Roberta Gibson
Pragmatic Mom—List of 10 Picture Books About Women Scientists Who Became Activists
Unpacking the Power of Picture Books—review by Sandy Brehl
Q&A with Deborah Kalb
Awards
NSTA/CBC Best STEM Book
2022 Green Earth Book Award Winner
John Burroughs Association Riverby Award
Honorable Mention, Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award
NCSS 2022 Septima Clark Book Award Honoree (Elementary Level)
Junior Library Guild Selection
Cybils Award Finalist for Elementary Nonfiction
Boston Authors Club Julia Ward Howe Finalist
A Mighty Girl’s 2021 Books of the Year list