MARIAN'S BIG DIG

Paleontology nurtures a rock-loving child’s creative spirit.

Marian’s geologist mom has some truly amazing rocks, but Marian’s own collection is nothing to sneeze at; she’s got “an enchanted rock. A prehistoric rock. And a surprisingly speedy rock.” She also has a spot reserved for the very best one, still to be found. Then, at the playground one day, Marian comes across something wonderful: what she is certain is a dinosaur tooth. Her mom is gently skeptical, but Marian is sure she’s right. The expert she consults by letter needs to see the object, which is “far too precious to send away,” so Marian decides to excavate the rest of the dinosaur. She and her very cooperative parents dig up disparate objects (a Slinky, traffic cones). Undaunted, Marian carefully glues “her dinosaur” together, and the big reveal impresses her friends and makes her proud. Now it’s on to the next interest: Has she found a moon rock for that spot in her collection? Fossil facts follow Bontje’s narrative, along with profiles of six young real-life fossil hunters (most of them female). Ritchie’s cartoon illustrations are colorful and fresh. Marian is treated with respect by both her parents and the author, and her enthusiasm is never quashed; readers will emerge eager to explore their own passions. Marian and her mother are pale-skinned with auburn hair; her dad is brown-skinned and dark-haired.

An endearing tale of a child’s firm will, powerful imagination, and engineering expertise.