Magic in a Drop of Water: How Ruth Patrick Taught the World about Water Pollution

by Julie Winterbottom, Susan Reagan (Illustrator)

An entertaining and gorgeous picture book biography of scientist and environmental hero Ruth Patrick, one of the first to warn about the dangers of pollution.

A brilliant scientist and intrepid explorer, the ecologist Ruth Patrick taught the world how to care for the environment. She studied water pollution long before it became a public concern and gave other scientists the tools to do something about it. Born in 1907, Ruth Patrick was one of the only women in her field when she made her breakthrough discovery about biodiversity and the ecosystem of rivers, forever changing how ecologists understand pollution.

Lyrically, joyfully written, exquisitely illustrated, and full of fascinating details, this STEM biography will inspire readers who love the environment to follow their passion and curiosity.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nature, Nonfiction, Science, Stem, Childrens

48 pages, Hardcover

Published March 25, 2025

About the author

Julie Winterbottom is the author of the picture book biography Magic in a Drop of Water: How Ruth Patrick Taught the World about Pollution. The former editor-in-chief of Nickelodeon Magazine, she has also written the middle grade humor books Pranklopedia and What a Blast! She lives on the shores of the Hudson River in Beacon, New York. Visit her at juliewinterbottom.com.

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating picture book biography about the environmental scientist Ruth Patrick who invented the diatometer, helped write the Clean Water Act, and later was awarded the National Medal of Science. It all began when she was five. Her father would take her on weekly nature walks in the woods with the mission of collecting "anything that looked interesting." One day Ruth collected pond scum and with her father examined a drop under the microscope. What she saw under the microscope were diatoms, mirocsopic algae. It looked like pure magic in her eyes and led to a life long fascination. Ruth knew that "she wanted to discover more wonders hiding in watery worlds." With beautifully detailed illustrations and an informative, accessible text, Winterbottom does a wonderful job of telling Patrick's story while also explaining how water pollution effects aquatic flora and fauna. A useful book to include in units about water, biodiversity, and pollution. An inspiring book about an important scientist!

"You must leave the world a better place than you found it."

[Mackenzie Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this!!

[Stephanie Gibeault · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully illustrated picture book explores the life of Ruth Patrick, an innovative scientist in a time when women were discouraged from even entering the field. A lack of funding and support didn’t stop Ruth from becoming a world expert on diatoms (microscopic algae) and pioneering research into water contamination. We all owe her a debt of gratitude for her discoveries about biodiversity and the impact of pollution on the environment. This lyrical story written by Julie Winterbottom starts with a young Ruth who was obsessed with nature then follows her through her schooling to her groundbreaking research with Pennsylvania rivers systems and her subsequent fight to stop the poisoning of our waterways. The gorgeous art by Susan Reagan accurately depicts the aquatic life Ruth fought so hard to protect, and back matter includes a timeline, more information about Ruth, and a selected bibliography. There are fascinating STEM tie-ins which makes this perfect for nature/science lovers as well as schools and libraries.

[LJ Todaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will fall in love with pond scum after reading this book about the pioneering ecologist, Ruth Patrick. She discovered diatoms, microscopic algae that help create oxygen, allowing life to exist in the water. Patrick wondered whether the diatoms could help measure pollution—in particular, toxic chemicals from factories that had been dumped into America’s waterways during the 1940s. By measuring the life of flora and fauna in rivers, she discovered a way to determine the health of waterways, which we now recognize as “biodiversity.” The more diversity, the healthier the waterway. This is an inspirational STEM book for budding scientists and curious readers. A fascinating story, sweeping watercolor illustrations, and a call to arms to protect our water.

[Erin Buhr]

This nonfiction picture book tells the story of Ruth Patrick who is known for her breakthrough discovery about biodiversity that led to important understandings about water pollution. The story begins when she is five years old and will encourage young curious scientists to explore their world and follow their passions. The text is interesting and the illustrations are exquisite watercolors. I think it is a great fit for an environmental science unit on conservation or water pollution or learning about women scientists.

[Patricia Q · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative, and Susan Reagan did a beautiful job illustrating.

[Joyce Uglow · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to read the advanced reader copy of Magic in a Drop of Water: How Ruth Patrick Taught the World about Water Pollution by Julie Winterbottom, illustrated by Susan Reagan is a not-to-missed picture book biography.

You, too, will fall in love with pond scum. Readers will find out what magical things happened when five year old Ruth Patrick looked under her father's microscope at - you guessed it - "slimy brown pond water".

Do you need a book to share? Celebrate Women's History Month in March 2025 with this picture book biography in hand. It just may spark interest in the study of biology. Maybe readers will decide to wade into the art and science of clean water! This book will encourage more students to let their minds "travel like a raft in a river". IMO, this book will help kids "jump in feet first" - just like Ruth.

This story is a call to action! Take a look under a microscope to see floaty diatoms's stories. Get a bucket full of wonders just like Ruth. Study it. Think. We must invest in leaving the world a better place than we found it. "We each play a part in our stable community." Here's a novel thought: Balance is important. No one species should dominate (and that includes us humans...).

Winterbottom's poetic voice and Susan Reagan's gorgeous illustrations combine to make this book a must read. I highly recommend MAGIC IN A DROP OF WATER for all those who battle for a better world, science classrooms studying water and much more, classrooms read aloud, classroom free-choice book baskets, story time at libraries, and discussions at home surrounding how to care for our environment. In Julie's words on my February 10, 2025 uGROnews Creatives Point of View interview, [This book] "can show them that what you are passionate about when you are very young can become your life’s work."

[Tanya Konerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

We didn’t always know that living in our rivers and ponds, oceans and lakes, there are not only the creatures we can see, but microscopic ones as well. Thanks to a girl named Ruth Patrick and her breakthrough discovery of jewel-like diatoms—the food-producing water algae that produce one-fourth of our oxygen—in the early 1900s, we now know about the incredible biodiversity in Earth’s waters, and how pollution in those waters affects all who live there.

In Julie Winterbottom’s lyrically delightful and inspiring book, Magic in a Drop of Water: How Ruth Patrick Taught the World about Water Pollution, we first discover Ruth as a child who loved to explore in nature, encouraged by her father who instructed her to “leave the world a better place than you found it.” The story continues with how Ruth discovered diatoms, then went on to study biology in college before working for years at the Academy of Natural Sciences, where women were ignored, men not considering them smart enough for scientific fields. But the heart and hope of Winterbottom’s story is how Ruth eventually left the Academy and led teams of biologists in the field in studying polluted waters and the life forms that could, or could not, survive in them in order to show the world why water pollution was so bad, helping also to usher in changes in our laws. Alongside Ruth’s story, illustrator Susan Reagan’s soft watercolor depictions, plus interesting and helpful back matter, make this a fascinating and joyful look at one of history’s great scientific minds.

[Sunday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruth Patrick was an amazing individual. Seriously. Her work (unpaid for over a decade early in her career because she was a woman) helped the world figure out how water pollution happens, how we can identify healthy water systems versus unhealthy, the value of biodiversity and on and on.

Winterbottom's writing and Reagan's illustrations are a glorious way to introduce our students to the amazing work of Patrick. Winterbottom's writing flows, is lyrical at times and she does not shy away from introducing vocabulary words/concepts like "diatom" to students. Reagan's illustrations are clearly focused on helping her audience make sense of Patrick's work.

HIGHLY RECOMMEND READING ALOUD or providing to small groups in the intermediate grades for student-led conversations.

PARTNER THIS TEXT WITH -
*BOOK ABOUT ANOTHER SCIENTIST whose work had a huge impact on regulations to protect the environment
-Mario and the Hole in the Sky: How a Chemist Saved Our Planet by Rusch & Martinez - Mario Molina discovered holes in the ozone created by CFCs
or
*BOOKS ABOUT WATER & PROTECTING WATER
-We are Water Protectors by Lindstrom & Goade
-Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior by Lindstrom & George
-One Well: The Story of Water on Earth by Strauss & Woods
or
*BOOKS ABOUT STRONG WOMEN IN SCIENCE (there are countless but here are a few) -
-The Spider Lady: Nan Songer and Her WWII Arachnid Army by Klostermann & Lambelet
-The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made Of by Larson & Roy

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magic in a Drop of Water is a picture biography of scientist, Ruth Patrick. Born in Kansas, little Ruth developed a keen interest in nature due to her Dad's love of science. As a young adult, Ruth made a career as a scientist, specifically as a biologist. When it came to notable pollution in freshwater ecosystem, Ruth developed a specific way to determine the water quality via biodiversity.

As the title suggests, Ruth's path to science all started with an interest in looking at scummy water. There, she saw diatoms, which fueled her interests further where she would eventually become one of the first female scientists in modern America. There is an equal balance of text that matches with many panoramic illustration shots that reflects both Ruth's studies and the earthly creatures she studied in those waters. I would say, children would learn a few big science vocabulary from this picture book. While not too deeply into the personal life of Ruth Patrick, Magic in a Drop of Water describes perfectly the contributions Ruth made to the field of biology and environmentalism that many are still following on to this day.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the early 1900's, Ruth Patrick's father encouraged his girls to gather things in the woods they found fascinating and they learned about them when they got home. The day Ruth gather pond scum and was able to see it through a microscope, a scientist was born! In simple easy to understand text this story will reach budding scientists and inspire them to find something to study that may help us better understand our world. Ruth Patrick studied at the university and using large groups of scientists working from dawn to dusk she used that data to create proof of how pollution affects our interior waterways. She wrote up her work and how she invented the diatometer to help her assess affects of pollution on all the water life in a river or stream or lake, and helped to write the Clean Water act which passed into law. Years later she was awarded the National Medal of Science! All of this information is surrounded by intriguing and even beguiling illustrations of the water inhabitants including so very many microscopic forms of life. Kudos to both author Julie Winterbottom and illustrator Susan Reagan on this gorgeous biography of a female scientists who we should all know.

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruth Patrick was amazing. She grew up in the 20s. She loved looking at water through a microscope. She was always playing in puddles and muddy streams. She loved it. So, she grew up in science even though girls weren't supposed to be good at science.

This is the woman who figured out biodiversity and how to heal a polluted stream with biodiversity. She helped pass the clean water act. It's a shame all her hard work has been overturned by an idiot.

She had a huge impact of our understanding of rivers and what makes a healthy planet. The move diversity there is, the healthier it is. It's a good lesson to learn.

The artwork was really cool too. They did a great job showing us the microscopic organism that live in all the water in the world. I'm sure this is just the surface and there is so much more to this story. I would like to know more.

I think any kid curious or into science will love this.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The amazing picture book biography of an intrepid female scientist Ruth Patrick who essentially invented the study of river pollution as well as the idea of using biodiversity as a measure of ecosystem health, aptly called The Patrick Principle.

Ruth Patrick was a female scientist in the 1940’s and beyond, when women scientists were a rarity. She experienced the usual discrimination, but worked around it successfully. Ruth helped write the 1972 Clean Water Act! (This act has been a target of the Trump Administration both in 2019 and now in 2025, though the book doesn't mention it: https://www.rollingstone.com/politics...)

The art by Susan Reagan is really compelling and beautiful, especially of the diatoms that were Ruth's specialty. This book is a keeper!

[Megan Clendenan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“When Ruth Patrick was five years old, she fell in love with pond scum.” With this beginning, I was hooked! Through Ruth’s eyes, we see the beauty of nature, and when she discovers diatoms, microscopic algae that we depend on for oxygen, I was blown away. I knew nothing about diatoms and Julie Winterbottom’s text is lyrical, accessible and engaging. Paired with Susan Reagan’s absolutely stunning illustrations, this book is incredible. Through engaging storytelling, we learn so much about diatoms, biodiversity, and about Ruth Patrick’s dedication and interest in studying biology, and about her groundbreaking work on water pollution. An inspiring tale that is a must have for schools, libraries and gifts to science and nature loving readers!

[Laura Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic in a Drop of Water is a fascinating look at the life of Ruth Patrick who was a leader in the field of ecology. She was one of the first women to study biodiversity and paved the way for scientists to address water pollution. Magic in a Drop of Water incorporates beautiful, lyrical language, and interesting facts about the diversity found in ponds, rivers, streams and oceans. Ruth followed her passion, even when things were difficult, which will be inspiring for young readers. Back matter, including additional information about Ruth’s life as well as a timeline (she lived to over a hundred!) is included. Magic in a Drop of Water would be an excellent addition in schools, libraries as well as homes of budding scientists/kids interested in the environment!

[Heather Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of picture book biographies about lesser-known women and this one is outstanding! On line one we meet five-year-old Ruth Patrick--lover of pond scum! Now that’s an intriguing introduction. Winterbottom’s writing is engaging and accessible, skillfully weaving in science content, like diatoms, while keeping the story moving forward and the reader hooked. I loved learning about this trailblazing environmental scientist who discovered how to evaluate and monitor water pollution. Reagan’s art is beautiful and rich with detail, a perfect complement to the text. Readers will gain a new appreciation for our natural world and the harm caused by pollution. They will also be inspired to follow their curiosity and their passions, and what could be better than that?

[Eileen Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This new picture book had me with the opening line, “When Ruth Patrick was five years old, she fell in love with pond scum.” Wow! The story of how young Ruth was intrigued by nature and grew up to be a trail-blazing scientist who analyzed and measured pollution and its impact on rivers, streams, and waterways is fascinating! Ruth’s curiosity and determination led to groundbreaking ecological work and new understandings that greatly influenced what we know to be true today. With lyrical text by Julie Winterbottom and gorgeous illustrations by Susan Reagen, you’ll savor every page turn in this beautiful new biography!

[Louise Aamodt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I. Am. ENCHANTED! This picture book has it all: STEM, history, girl power, biology, ecology, and more, presented through an engaging voice and accompanied by gorgeous illustrations. The very opening line hooked me: "When Ruth Patrick was five years old, she fell in love with pond scum." The author's lyrical writing transforms pond scum into something magical and beautiful, and her nonfiction information really did help me appreciate the importance that very pond scum would come to represent worldwide. This book also ties perfectly into current events about biodiversity. Delightful on so many levels!

[Jen Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This fascinating biography of Ruth Patrick, pioneering female biologist, will leave you in awe of all that she achieved throughout her lifetime. The author paints a fascinating picture of Ruth's journey - from her childhood of simple scientific observation through to her professional biodiversity breakthrough, set against the backdrop of her consistent championing of environmental stewardship and her constant battle against gender discrimination. The illustrations transport us - both to the early 1900's (an era most kids today can't easily imagine), as well as to the natural wonders of the aquatic world. A wonderful and inspiring story to encourage any young scientist.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

About Ruth Patrick from childhood through the 1948 study of the Lancaster Country streams and developing the Patrick Principle, with some flashing forward to broader work through the rest of her life at the end.

There's relatively little emphasis on discrimination against women in the main text, though it is mentioned a bit, especially in childhood, and there's much more in the backmatter about what she faced in adulthood.

Really beautiful illustrations of nature at both micro and macro scales. Watercolor was such a good choice for this, and there's a note about the illustrator's research (which really shows).

The text here is really small for a picture book.

[Crazyaboutkidsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful, inspiring, empowering story! This beautifully written biography takes a topic that could be “dry,” and possibly confusing—with its look at diatoms, biodiversity, and pollution— and makes it both interesting and accessible.

It’s a perfect book for science-loving kids (and even for those who aren’t!), that demonstrates how we can use our passions and our curiosities to make a difference in the world.

And if that isn’t enough—take a look at Reagan’s illustrations! Absolutely stunning.

For home, for libraries, for the classroom, you don’t want to miss this one!

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting and informative picture book about water pollution. It would not be my pick for a read aloud to a group of children. But I found it interesting if read together with an adult and a child was free to ask questions about what Ruth discovers and learns with her father. It was about water pollution in rivers, ponds and oceans. Ruth's life is centered around biology and learning more about pollution and cleaning up rivers, oceans and the fish and creatures that survive in cleaned up water. The illustrations were helpful and interesting.

[Debra Shumaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the opening line of this book—"When Ruth Patrick was five years old, she fell in love with pond scum." Who wouldn't want to continue reading?! Ruth was born in 1907 and grew up to be a biologist when women weren't welcome in the sciences. She eventually studied how pollution affected rivers and streams—which helped people figure out how to clean up our waterways. Lovely, lyrical text and amazing art make this picture book biography a book to savor and hopefully encourage kids to continue to find ways to save our natural world.

[Kirsten Pendreigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gorgeously illustrated, immersive biography reminds that kids science takes dedication, time, and an attention to detail, in this case the tiny detailed life found in a drop of water. But the story also shows how science can save us, in this case, how one young woman, more than 70 years ago, proved pollution was killing aquatic life in American rivers. Her work empowered others to work for clean-ups and better environmental management.

[Marcie Flinchum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Follow Ruth Patrick’s childhood curiosity and learn about diatoms and the stories they tell. Winterbottom’s writing is gorgeous while also making the science understandable. She details Ruth Patrick’s life and the barriers that existed for a woman in science. And yet, Patrick was so passionate about diatoms, that she pursued it. Her work contributes to how we understand pollution and biodiversity. This book is perfect for curious kids and shows the impactful work of a female scientist.

[Leslie Barnard Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stunning, must-have nonfiction picture book about how one girl's curiosity, care, and determination led to crucial insights into biodiversity and water pollution. Clear, precise, shimmering text combines with gorgeous illustrations to explore the micro-world of plankton and its role in the larger food web, all through the inspiring life story of scientist and environmental advocate, Ruth Patrick. Inspirational, educational, and emotionally resonant!

[Amanda Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

“When Ruth Patrick was five years old, she fell in love with pond scum.” From this very first line of the story you are pulled into following Ruth on her journey to uncover important discoveries about water pollution. Full of curiosity, problem-solving and a reminder to follow our passions, the story is sure to encourage nature lovers and beyond. Reagan’s cool, flowing watercolor illustrations are a perfect match for the subject matter!

[Sam Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful, informative, and important read for kids (and adults). I love how this picture book blends biography and science, so the reader isn't just learning about an under-discussed hero in STEM history but also about diatons, biodiversity, and water ecology. The illustrations are gorgeous and also informative, especially when they zoom in on microscopic organisms. One of those great science books that can teach kids and adults, too :)

[Sandhya Acharya · Rating 5 out of 5]

So informative! I learned so much in every spread! The information is also put across in a child-friendly format. I was very inspired by the main protagonist Ruth Patrick. I am also curious and hopeful about taking practical steps to reduce water pollution. The illustrations are beautiful and take the story forward in a seamless way. This is a must-read for classrooms!

[Jessica Stremer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a timely and important book about scientist and environmental hero Ruth Patrick. The text is informative, engaging, and paired with art that draws you into the story even more. More than just a biography, this book will readers look differently at the water around them. Highly recommend for any school or home library.