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The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest
Meg Lowman was determined to investigate the marvelous, undiscovered world of the rainforest treetops. Meg's perseverance and creativity allowed her to achieve this goal, but when this fantastic ecosystem started to disappear, Meg needed to act quickly.
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 rain forest tree canopies-- and 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 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. Working closely with Meg Lowman, author Heather Lang and artist Jana Christy beautifully capture Meg's world in the treetops.
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 rain forest tree canopies-- and 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 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. Working closely with Meg Lowman, author Heather Lang and artist Jana Christy beautifully capture Meg's world in the treetops.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2020
8 people are currently reading
1592 people want to read
About the author
Heather Lang
9 books41 followersHeather Lang writes picture books that celebrate our natural world and biographies about women who overcame extraordinary obstacles to follow their dreams. Her award-winning books include Supermoms!: Animal Heroes, Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark, and The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest, an NSTA/CBC Best STEM Book and Green Earth Book Award winner. To research her books, Heather has observed animals in the Serengeti, climbed to the treetops of the Amazon, and explored the depths of the ocean. You can read more about Heather’s books and find lots of activities and resources for them at heatherlangbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
May 9, 2021
It's hard for me to imagine anyone who is not a fan of the rainforest, and anyone who doesn't have a strong impulse toward both curiosity and concern when that subject is mentioned.
Before the main text begins, a quotation by Margaret "Canopy Meg: Lowman is showcased on its own page:
"We are PART of our ecosystem, not outside it."
With that quotation and nickname as my introduction to this pioneering rainforest scientist, the author follows with a full spread that anchors a pattern of three things I especially enjoyed and admired: revealing Meg's emotional inner life, including a significant quotation that summarizes specific elements of her biography, and brief science information displayed on a lower corner "leaf" inset on most pages. In the case of this first spread, Meg has spent two decades focused on leaves: thinking, reading studying, researching, hypothesizing about rainforest canopy leaves and ecosystems, but frustrated that no one had ever reached that biome directly.
It's a tricky challenge for a biographer to engage young readers with the adult lifestory of noteworthy folks, with many authors following a cradle-to-grave sequence, launching the "hook" of the childhood years on the first page. In this case, Lang's opening spread plants adult Meg at the base of a towering rainforest canopy tree with a sense of her pent up frustration about finding a way "UP". What child can't identify with that feeling?
The page turn then draws readers into Meg as a child, a painfully shy, studious girl who "wrapped herself in nature like a soft blanket". That quote is Lang's lovely text, which lands on this spread among colorful and sketchy images of Meg observing, collecting, preserving, and viewing her own backyard leaves from an eye-level tree house, all of which foreshadow the life she would eventually lead.
Before the main text begins, a quotation by Margaret "Canopy Meg: Lowman is showcased on its own page:
"We are PART of our ecosystem, not outside it."
With that quotation and nickname as my introduction to this pioneering rainforest scientist, the author follows with a full spread that anchors a pattern of three things I especially enjoyed and admired: revealing Meg's emotional inner life, including a significant quotation that summarizes specific elements of her biography, and brief science information displayed on a lower corner "leaf" inset on most pages. In the case of this first spread, Meg has spent two decades focused on leaves: thinking, reading studying, researching, hypothesizing about rainforest canopy leaves and ecosystems, but frustrated that no one had ever reached that biome directly.
It's a tricky challenge for a biographer to engage young readers with the adult lifestory of noteworthy folks, with many authors following a cradle-to-grave sequence, launching the "hook" of the childhood years on the first page. In this case, Lang's opening spread plants adult Meg at the base of a towering rainforest canopy tree with a sense of her pent up frustration about finding a way "UP". What child can't identify with that feeling?
The page turn then draws readers into Meg as a child, a painfully shy, studious girl who "wrapped herself in nature like a soft blanket". That quote is Lang's lovely text, which lands on this spread among colorful and sketchy images of Meg observing, collecting, preserving, and viewing her own backyard leaves from an eye-level tree house, all of which foreshadow the life she would eventually lead.
February 18, 2022
Okay.
Tell me if I am being too nitpicky, because this is REALLY bothering me.
This is a quote from the book: "Chemicals from the rosy periwinkle, found in Madagascar, provide a cure for leukemia."
I have spent far too much time looking into this, and there is not a single review that I can find that mentions this, in my opinion, error. And this book has been reviewed by the big ones - Kirkus. School Library Journal. Booklist.
It flat out says that chemicals from the rosy periwinkle provide a cure for leukemia.
I read this and thought, “What?! How did I miss this? Leukemia has been CURED?! This is HUGE!”
It hasn’t. The rosy periwinkle provides a HIGHLY effective treatment for childhood leukemia. It CAN cure a lot of cases, as defined scientifically, which is to say that it goes into remission and never comes back.
But it is not a cure the way most people understand that word. Something that you give to all the sick people and it fixes them. It is also not as effective for cases of leukemia outside of childhood.
This sentence could have been fixed in a multitude of ways. It could have said CAN provide a cure. The word cure could have been replaced with treatment. In either case, it should have said CHILDHOOD leukemia.
I have scoured the interwebs. Amazon reviews. Goodreads reviews. Professional journal reviews. I seem to be the only person who even noticed this, never mind let it bother me so much.
But WORDS MATTER. And the way we teach our kids and talk to them matters. How did this make it through a professional editing process?
I am willing to hear that I am overreacting or flat out wrong. Please explain to me why I am. Or call Kirkus and tell them to get better reviewers. Or Calkins Creek and tell them to get better editors. OR JANE FREAKING GOODALL, who wrote a blurb for the back of this book.
It's a shame. This is a beautifully illustrated book about a woman who did something important that I was not aware of. But I cannot in good conscience recommend it.
Tell me if I am being too nitpicky, because this is REALLY bothering me.
This is a quote from the book: "Chemicals from the rosy periwinkle, found in Madagascar, provide a cure for leukemia."
I have spent far too much time looking into this, and there is not a single review that I can find that mentions this, in my opinion, error. And this book has been reviewed by the big ones - Kirkus. School Library Journal. Booklist.
It flat out says that chemicals from the rosy periwinkle provide a cure for leukemia.
I read this and thought, “What?! How did I miss this? Leukemia has been CURED?! This is HUGE!”
It hasn’t. The rosy periwinkle provides a HIGHLY effective treatment for childhood leukemia. It CAN cure a lot of cases, as defined scientifically, which is to say that it goes into remission and never comes back.
But it is not a cure the way most people understand that word. Something that you give to all the sick people and it fixes them. It is also not as effective for cases of leukemia outside of childhood.
This sentence could have been fixed in a multitude of ways. It could have said CAN provide a cure. The word cure could have been replaced with treatment. In either case, it should have said CHILDHOOD leukemia.
I have scoured the interwebs. Amazon reviews. Goodreads reviews. Professional journal reviews. I seem to be the only person who even noticed this, never mind let it bother me so much.
But WORDS MATTER. And the way we teach our kids and talk to them matters. How did this make it through a professional editing process?
I am willing to hear that I am overreacting or flat out wrong. Please explain to me why I am. Or call Kirkus and tell them to get better reviewers. Or Calkins Creek and tell them to get better editors. OR JANE FREAKING GOODALL, who wrote a blurb for the back of this book.
It's a shame. This is a beautifully illustrated book about a woman who did something important that I was not aware of. But I cannot in good conscience recommend it.
January 24, 2022
This is a delightful read, educational and fun. I learned so much as an adult and my children were both riveted, too. Margaret's groundbreaking work making a way to study the rainforest canopy FROM the rainforest canopy is remarkable. (Also, note most of the focus here is not on the South American rainforests but on Australian rainforests, which was an interesting change of pace.) I especially enjoy how it shows that children who are introverted, enjoy being one-on-one with nature, don't fit in, etc. can grow up to find their perfect place in the world. It was wonderful seeing how Margaret's love of trees, and desire to protect them, helped her find the confidence to speak to many different people, inspire organizations and conservation efforts. Excellent back matter. Highly recommend!
I'm pressed for time, but Cheryl's excellent review says more:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I'm pressed for time, but Cheryl's excellent review says more:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
June 10, 2021
First, it's a fun read, with lots of cool information that kids like to gobble up. It also has plenty of helpful back matter, good design, appealing illustrations. Especially interesting is that the subject is still working.
Moreover, it fits all sorts of tags. Strong women, biological and environmental sciences, biography, even world cultures.
I love how Lowman brought first herself, then the local people, to the canopy, rather than bringing the denizens, or even worse, the trees themselves, down to the scientists.
I learned so much... and I've read books on the subject for a long time.
"To insects, a tree is a salad bar.... To birds and mammals a tree is a buffet--juicy fruits and plump beetles, salamanders and frogs. A tree is a sponge... and a recycler...."
Transpiration in the Amazon rainforest affects weather as far away as Texas.
Note hints at so much more that could be told about Lowman. And she has told some of her own stories, too, so check out her author's page: Margaret Lowman
Moreover, it fits all sorts of tags. Strong women, biological and environmental sciences, biography, even world cultures.
I love how Lowman brought first herself, then the local people, to the canopy, rather than bringing the denizens, or even worse, the trees themselves, down to the scientists.
I learned so much... and I've read books on the subject for a long time.
"To insects, a tree is a salad bar.... To birds and mammals a tree is a buffet--juicy fruits and plump beetles, salamanders and frogs. A tree is a sponge... and a recycler...."
Transpiration in the Amazon rainforest affects weather as far away as Texas.
Note hints at so much more that could be told about Lowman. And she has told some of her own stories, too, so check out her author's page: Margaret Lowman
February 20, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed watching the virtual book launch of The Leaf Detective with Heather Lang and Meg Lowman both reading the book (while Jana Christy occasionally appeared on camera for discussion, as well). The only thing they didn't read was all the little leaf facts found in the bottom corners of the pages, so I'll definitely be looking for this one in print!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
May 22, 2022
Fun biography of Margaret Lowman, who became a scientist when women were still discouraged (one professor barred her from his class, which was a boys-only club). She developed a lot of techniques for studying tree canopies without destroying the tree, and moved from only research to also promoting habitat preservation.
So I learned a lot, and the art was fun. The lady in the pages didn't seem to age much, which kids wouldn't mind but I noticed, and it's definitely a very top-level overview of her career and achievements, but it made me want more.
So I learned a lot, and the art was fun. The lady in the pages didn't seem to age much, which kids wouldn't mind but I noticed, and it's definitely a very top-level overview of her career and achievements, but it made me want more.
October 28, 2021
Margaret “Meg” Lowman, born in 1953, is a scientific pioneer and arbornaut (treetop explorer) known as “the mother of canopy research” for her treetop explorations of the world’s forests. Using hot-air balloons, human slingshots, cherry pickers, construction cranes and walkways, she has worked to map the canopy's biodiversity and to champion forest conservation around the world. Before her innovations, as Lang reports in this book for readers aged 5 and up, most scientists studied rainforest treetops through binoculars. Some even cut trees down to study the tops of them.
Meg had been a “leaf detective” since she was a young girl growing up in New York. She collected leaves, identified them, and labeled them. She pursued her passion in college, although one professor refused to let her in his class because she was a female. In graduate school at Sydney University in Australia, she was the first one to study the rainforest. Rainforests have so much to offer for scientists, because the hot, humid environment stimulates a diverse variety of plant and animal species. Lang observes, “We now believe the canopy is home to approximately half the plant and animal species on land.”
Lang reports many fascinating bits of information that Meg discovered, such as the fact that 15 to 25 percent of tropical rainforest leaves are eaten every year, mostly by insects, and mostly at night. She writes, “To insects, a tree is not just a tree, it is a ‘salad bar’ - all-you-can-eat leaves.” In turn, “for birds and mammals, a tree is a buffet - juicy fruits and plump beetles, salamanders, and frogs.”
Much of Meg’s best research was done after she invented the canopy walkway, so she could research day and night, alone or with others. She even started to give rainforest tours on the walkways.
Lang explains how water from the rainforest is important to the whole world: its moisture affects rainfall as far away as Texas. Rainforest trees help clean the air, absorbing carbon dioxide and providing oxygen. Some rainforest trees provide medicines not available from other sources. When the trees are cut by developers seeking timber or rubber or paper, the air becomes less clean.
Meg became devoted to saving the trees, and began teaching ecology around the world. She teaches alternatives to tearing down trees for those who live near rainforests so they can still prosper economically. For example, she shows them how to construct walkways and give canopy tours, and she encourages them to harvest and sell crops from the trees rather than cutting them down. The author writes that Meg is using her voice “to inspire people to save their rainforests to save themselves, because to Meg, a tree is not just a tree. . . . It is essential for life on earth.”
The author concludes with a note in which she gives more background on Meg’s work and talks about her own trips to the canopy in the rainforest with Meg. Meg gave her, she writes, “a new appreciation for the interconnectedness of our world and transformed me into a tree lover.” She includes some photos of their adventures.
A two-page spread in the back matter provides a look at the layers, leaves, and life of the rainforest. The author also includes a bibliography and list of other sources.
Illustrator Jana Christy created beautiful illustrations using leafy patterns to show both the gorgeous variety of the rainforest and the bravery and creativity of Meg Lowman. Throughout the book, she also showcases factoids about the rainforest inside leaf designs rather than the usual rectangular call-out boxes.
Readers will want to check Meg’s website, in which she declares:
“What causes me to leap out of bed each morning is the opportunity to explore, research, and conserve global forests; mentor the next generation (especially women and minorities) in sustainability and forest stewardship; and educate diverse audiences through advising and storytelling.”
Evaluation: Meg’s story is so inspirational. And much of the material in the book could inspire units in biology as well as social sciences for educators. Best of all, the author is donating a portion of her royalties from this book to Meg Lowman’s TREE Foundation.
Meg had been a “leaf detective” since she was a young girl growing up in New York. She collected leaves, identified them, and labeled them. She pursued her passion in college, although one professor refused to let her in his class because she was a female. In graduate school at Sydney University in Australia, she was the first one to study the rainforest. Rainforests have so much to offer for scientists, because the hot, humid environment stimulates a diverse variety of plant and animal species. Lang observes, “We now believe the canopy is home to approximately half the plant and animal species on land.”
Lang reports many fascinating bits of information that Meg discovered, such as the fact that 15 to 25 percent of tropical rainforest leaves are eaten every year, mostly by insects, and mostly at night. She writes, “To insects, a tree is not just a tree, it is a ‘salad bar’ - all-you-can-eat leaves.” In turn, “for birds and mammals, a tree is a buffet - juicy fruits and plump beetles, salamanders, and frogs.”
Much of Meg’s best research was done after she invented the canopy walkway, so she could research day and night, alone or with others. She even started to give rainforest tours on the walkways.
Lang explains how water from the rainforest is important to the whole world: its moisture affects rainfall as far away as Texas. Rainforest trees help clean the air, absorbing carbon dioxide and providing oxygen. Some rainforest trees provide medicines not available from other sources. When the trees are cut by developers seeking timber or rubber or paper, the air becomes less clean.
Meg became devoted to saving the trees, and began teaching ecology around the world. She teaches alternatives to tearing down trees for those who live near rainforests so they can still prosper economically. For example, she shows them how to construct walkways and give canopy tours, and she encourages them to harvest and sell crops from the trees rather than cutting them down. The author writes that Meg is using her voice “to inspire people to save their rainforests to save themselves, because to Meg, a tree is not just a tree. . . . It is essential for life on earth.”
The author concludes with a note in which she gives more background on Meg’s work and talks about her own trips to the canopy in the rainforest with Meg. Meg gave her, she writes, “a new appreciation for the interconnectedness of our world and transformed me into a tree lover.” She includes some photos of their adventures.
A two-page spread in the back matter provides a look at the layers, leaves, and life of the rainforest. The author also includes a bibliography and list of other sources.
Illustrator Jana Christy created beautiful illustrations using leafy patterns to show both the gorgeous variety of the rainforest and the bravery and creativity of Meg Lowman. Throughout the book, she also showcases factoids about the rainforest inside leaf designs rather than the usual rectangular call-out boxes.
Readers will want to check Meg’s website, in which she declares:
“What causes me to leap out of bed each morning is the opportunity to explore, research, and conserve global forests; mentor the next generation (especially women and minorities) in sustainability and forest stewardship; and educate diverse audiences through advising and storytelling.”
Evaluation: Meg’s story is so inspirational. And much of the material in the book could inspire units in biology as well as social sciences for educators. Best of all, the author is donating a portion of her royalties from this book to Meg Lowman’s TREE Foundation.
December 6, 2021
Lang's telling of this story about the remarkable Meg Lowman is superb.
Here's an example -
In the dark, damp forest
the trees rose up to
distant rustling,
squawks and screeches,
shadows in the treetops.
How could she get up there?
Using seat-belt straps,
Meg sewed a harness.
From a metal rod,
she welded a slingshot.
Pull, aim, release, fire...
Meg launched a lead weight on a line
again and again
until at last it caught
around the sturdy branch of a coachwood tree.
Lang's rich language not only creates a picture of what Lowman was doing, it reveals how Lowman was inquisitive and persistent. Lang respects her young audience, letting them draw their own conclusions about Lowman rather than saying, "Lowman was persistent" (which I'm surprised authors still do).
Christy's illustrations are delightful revealing the complexity and wonder of Lowman's work.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND FOR READING ALOUD IN K-2 or making available to intermediate grade students for small group reading, discussing or research.
PAIR THIS TEXT WITH -
Other books about scientists who engage in ground breaking approaches to exploring nature -
*Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle by Claire Nivola
*Buzzing with Questions: The Inquisitive Mind of Charles Henry Turner by Harrington and Taylor
An activist who helped her community plant trees after so much deforestation (which is a topic introduced late in The Leaf Detective -
*Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa by Jeanette Winter (k-1)
*Seeds of Change by Johnson & Sadler (2-5)
Books about trees including Can You Hear the Trees Talking? Discovering the Hidden Life of the Forest by Peter Wohlleben (for fluent readers).
BTW - Heather Lang is a go-to author for me. Never miss one of her books!
Here's an example -
In the dark, damp forest
the trees rose up to
distant rustling,
squawks and screeches,
shadows in the treetops.
How could she get up there?
Using seat-belt straps,
Meg sewed a harness.
From a metal rod,
she welded a slingshot.
Pull, aim, release, fire...
Meg launched a lead weight on a line
again and again
until at last it caught
around the sturdy branch of a coachwood tree.
Lang's rich language not only creates a picture of what Lowman was doing, it reveals how Lowman was inquisitive and persistent. Lang respects her young audience, letting them draw their own conclusions about Lowman rather than saying, "Lowman was persistent" (which I'm surprised authors still do).
Christy's illustrations are delightful revealing the complexity and wonder of Lowman's work.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND FOR READING ALOUD IN K-2 or making available to intermediate grade students for small group reading, discussing or research.
PAIR THIS TEXT WITH -
Other books about scientists who engage in ground breaking approaches to exploring nature -
*Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle by Claire Nivola
*Buzzing with Questions: The Inquisitive Mind of Charles Henry Turner by Harrington and Taylor
An activist who helped her community plant trees after so much deforestation (which is a topic introduced late in The Leaf Detective -
*Wangari's Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa by Jeanette Winter (k-1)
*Seeds of Change by Johnson & Sadler (2-5)
Books about trees including Can You Hear the Trees Talking? Discovering the Hidden Life of the Forest by Peter Wohlleben (for fluent readers).
BTW - Heather Lang is a go-to author for me. Never miss one of her books!
February 13, 2021
This book is very cute and unique. There are many colorful illustrations that bring the book to life. I love all of the different animals that were a part of the images. I think that the story is very educational. It isn’t long but it has so much information included. The story itself follows a real woman named Margaret Lowman. Her story is not only inspiring because of the all work she has done in discovering the rainforest and helping to protect it but also because she did it as a woman and didn’t care what others thought or said. So, I think this book has so much to gleam for little kids and even adult. There are little side notes that have facts, and the story itself provides so much information. It not only brings awareness to deforestation but also inspires all reading not to worry about what others say but to follow what you dream to do. It such a cute story that any kid would love, and it educates them and instills the idea of protecting the rainforest as they read. There is even a diagram in the back that labels each part of the rainforest and some of the trees and animals in them. This book definitely provides a fun way to learn so you won’t even realize you are.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy!
Thanks to the publisher for a copy!
Read
April 3, 2021This is a wonderful picture book biography of a female field biologist who studied rainforest trees and worked to protect them from deforestation. Pair it with The Wisdom of Trees for readers interested in knowing more about the world of plants. Pair it with Seeds of Change for readers interested in knowing more about female environmentalists. Pair it with The Watcher for readers interested in knowing more about female field biologists.
December 8, 2025
The Leaf Detective is a beautifully illustrated nonfiction picture book biography about scientist Margaret Lowman and her groundbreaking work in rainforest canopy research. As a picture book, the visual elements are essential. Jana Christy’s illustrations support comprehension, extend the scientific content, and model strong visual literacy features. The text blends narrative nonfiction with accurate ecological information, making complex science approachable for young readers.
I located this title through Kirkus Reviews and read it in traditional picture book format.
I recommend this book for grades 3–6. It works well in literacy or science instruction to teach narrative nonfiction structure, the integration of illustrations and text, and themes related to STEM and environmental stewardship.
I located this title through Kirkus Reviews and read it in traditional picture book format.
I recommend this book for grades 3–6. It works well in literacy or science instruction to teach narrative nonfiction structure, the integration of illustrations and text, and themes related to STEM and environmental stewardship.
April 12, 2021
Rainforests are magic. Meg Lowman’s powerful bond with plants led her to be one of the first scientists to explore the canopy. This informative, and colorful book should be added to any curriculum studying the rainforest, animals, and conservation. She is an interesting woman that will inspire young readers to learn about nature.
July 12, 2021
This book tells the inspiring story of Meg Lowman and her passion for trees and the rainforest. Beautifully illustrated, with nuggets of information about insects, trees, medicinal plants and the canopy. The author’s note gives more information about the work of Meg and her family.
March 14, 2022
This beautiful book tells the story of Lowman's life, including her early struggles to educate herself in an educational environment that discriminated against women. She overcame the odds and spent her life studying trees, dedicating her life to seeking knowledge, and raising awareness of the effects of deforestation, working as a conservationist and environmentalist. The story is interspersed with factoid texts about trees and their biosystem that do not distract from the main storyline. A great pick for an Earth Day read!
April 28, 2023
A little longer, but so full of information written and illustrated in an engaging way.
May 19, 2021
We have an amazing children's librarian here in Nevada... And I think I learned as much about the rainforest from this book as Cora. We have so many books about iconic women on the shelves at the library... Cora said to me, "I want to be the first at something too". Great book.
March 10, 2022
A tree is many things including a soldier against climate change. We must take care of our forests! Margaret Lowman is an impressive and brave woman!
March 21, 2021
Full review: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=2...
Heather Lang does an amazing job of the layering in this book ensuring to include many different aspects of Margaret (Meg) Lowman’s life including her passion for the environment, challenges of being a woman in the sciences in 1970s and the barriers that came with the institutional sexism, and someone wanting to be innovative yet being shut down left and right.
The narrative of the story is written in beautiful verses mixed with direct quotes from Lowman and extra side bar notes that includes facts and information that help drive the biography. And finally the illustrations, filled with vibrant blues and greens, bring the story and setting to life for the reader.
The back matter includes an author note sharing about Lang’s interest in Lowman and about meeting and interviewing her, and it includes photos of Lowman and Lang! This shows the reader Lang’s research methods and how the quote throughout the book are primary sources.
Heather Lang does an amazing job of the layering in this book ensuring to include many different aspects of Margaret (Meg) Lowman’s life including her passion for the environment, challenges of being a woman in the sciences in 1970s and the barriers that came with the institutional sexism, and someone wanting to be innovative yet being shut down left and right.
The narrative of the story is written in beautiful verses mixed with direct quotes from Lowman and extra side bar notes that includes facts and information that help drive the biography. And finally the illustrations, filled with vibrant blues and greens, bring the story and setting to life for the reader.
The back matter includes an author note sharing about Lang’s interest in Lowman and about meeting and interviewing her, and it includes photos of Lowman and Lang! This shows the reader Lang’s research methods and how the quote throughout the book are primary sources.
August 5, 2022
The Leaf Detective is a very solid picture book biography of Margaret "Canopy Meg" Lowman, who was among the first recorded to ever study rainforest canopies and the plant, animal, and insect life there. The illustrations of the people and animals are cute and the artwork on the plantlife is gorgeous. There's lots of interesting and important fun facts included in the story about Lowman's scientific career, as well as her career as a conservationist protecting the rainforests of the world.
It could have been a five star read, but it's a bit too whitewashed for that. Indigenous knowledge is recognised in the book from the peoples of the Amazon rainforest, but Indigenous knowledge is not recognised in the book in regards to the peoples of the Australian rainforests, and the narrative for African countries leans towards white-saviourism.
Although I learned from it, I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this one, but it's still worth a read for those picking it up anyway, especially if you pair it with other books on science, conservation, and Indigenous knowledge.
It could have been a five star read, but it's a bit too whitewashed for that. Indigenous knowledge is recognised in the book from the peoples of the Amazon rainforest, but Indigenous knowledge is not recognised in the book in regards to the peoples of the Australian rainforests, and the narrative for African countries leans towards white-saviourism.
Although I learned from it, I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend this one, but it's still worth a read for those picking it up anyway, especially if you pair it with other books on science, conservation, and Indigenous knowledge.
April 15, 2021
A fascinating woman who discovered a passion and wasn't about to let anyone stand in the way of her following her dreams. Her work is so interesting and has contributed so much to our understanding of a whole portion of the rainforest not as commonly studied. A really interesting story!
Want to read
April 29, 2021Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.
December 14, 2023
Beautiful non-fiction biography about a pioneer rainforest scientist, Margaret Lowman, and how she decided to climb to the tops of the rainforest trees to learn more about the rainforest.
March 27, 2025
Spectacular book. I loved it. The first thing I noticed about this book was its stunning illustrations. They are gorgeous. They enrich the text by really helping to visualize what happened.
This book is the true story of Margaret Lowman, a pioneer scientist in the field of rainforest canopy, research and conservation. It talks of her love of trees and particularly their leaves from the time she was a girl. It's a wonderful story and it is beautifully portrayed in this book. Did you know that in the Australian rainforest leaves can live as short as three months and as long as 19 years? Margaret does!
She wanted to study the leaves of the trees in the rainforest up close, but there wasn't an established way to do that. So Margaret thought through each problem she faced and came up with solutions. I love this aspect of the book: it highlights the problem- solving nature of how she went from a child who loved leaves to a professional scientist, building the tools and resources she needed in order to accomplish her goals. She also was willing to learn from and work with others as they were finding solutions to similar problems to meet similar goals. It's a very inspiring story.
There are historical facts and information included as a sideline throughout the book. There are also quotes from Margaret. My favorite one is "we had already been to the moon and back, and nobody had been to the top of a tree".
The end matter includes an author's note about Margaret, which gives interesting clues. You can use to continue to research this woman, including mention of her Jason project and her tree climbing research program for students in wheelchairs.
After that, a beautiful illustrated poster appears of the four layers of a rainforest. There is text about each layer, the plants and animals at the different layers are illustrated as well. The information is well presented in the graphic is stunning.
Last but not least is a bibliography, video, website list.
I highly recommend this book if you are teaching kids about trees, about the rainforest, about how to take their interests and turn them into careers, or if you are trying to get them involved in science.
Age: 7 - 10
Grade: 2 - 5
This book is the true story of Margaret Lowman, a pioneer scientist in the field of rainforest canopy, research and conservation. It talks of her love of trees and particularly their leaves from the time she was a girl. It's a wonderful story and it is beautifully portrayed in this book. Did you know that in the Australian rainforest leaves can live as short as three months and as long as 19 years? Margaret does!
She wanted to study the leaves of the trees in the rainforest up close, but there wasn't an established way to do that. So Margaret thought through each problem she faced and came up with solutions. I love this aspect of the book: it highlights the problem- solving nature of how she went from a child who loved leaves to a professional scientist, building the tools and resources she needed in order to accomplish her goals. She also was willing to learn from and work with others as they were finding solutions to similar problems to meet similar goals. It's a very inspiring story.
There are historical facts and information included as a sideline throughout the book. There are also quotes from Margaret. My favorite one is "we had already been to the moon and back, and nobody had been to the top of a tree".
The end matter includes an author's note about Margaret, which gives interesting clues. You can use to continue to research this woman, including mention of her Jason project and her tree climbing research program for students in wheelchairs.
After that, a beautiful illustrated poster appears of the four layers of a rainforest. There is text about each layer, the plants and animals at the different layers are illustrated as well. The information is well presented in the graphic is stunning.
Last but not least is a bibliography, video, website list.
I highly recommend this book if you are teaching kids about trees, about the rainforest, about how to take their interests and turn them into careers, or if you are trying to get them involved in science.
Age: 7 - 10
Grade: 2 - 5
March 9, 2021
The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest by Heather Lang is a nonfiction children's book. 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 rain forest tree canopies-- and 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 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. Working closely with Meg Lowman, author Heather Lang and artist Jana Christy beautifully capture Meg's world in the treetops.
The Leaf Detective is a beautifully illustrated and designed book. The artwork would make this book well worth looking at even if there were no text at all. However, the text is well written and very engaging- so this book is a win on both fronts. Meg's efforts and perseverance makes her story easy to get invested in, and her efforts to get through or around the obstacles in her path just might inspire those that read this book to put the effort in to do the things they are passionate about even if the way will be challenging. I liked the way facts and quotes from Lowman were included in the book- bringing home that this is real life not fiction. I loved the look, content, intent, and and feel of the book.The digital formatting on my galley was a little off, making it a little harder to read, but I am confident that this will not be a problem in the final version.
The Leaf Detective is a wonderful book that should be added to school library, classroom, and public library collections. I think there are many readers that would reread a personal copy as well, including my daughter.
The Leaf Detective is a beautifully illustrated and designed book. The artwork would make this book well worth looking at even if there were no text at all. However, the text is well written and very engaging- so this book is a win on both fronts. Meg's efforts and perseverance makes her story easy to get invested in, and her efforts to get through or around the obstacles in her path just might inspire those that read this book to put the effort in to do the things they are passionate about even if the way will be challenging. I liked the way facts and quotes from Lowman were included in the book- bringing home that this is real life not fiction. I loved the look, content, intent, and and feel of the book.The digital formatting on my galley was a little off, making it a little harder to read, but I am confident that this will not be a problem in the final version.
The Leaf Detective is a wonderful book that should be added to school library, classroom, and public library collections. I think there are many readers that would reread a personal copy as well, including my daughter.
October 17, 2021
This picture book biography is a 3.5 for me. With digital illustrations filled with sumptuous greens that delight the eye and pay tribute to the world's rainforests, this picture book introduces readers to Margaret Lowman, a scientist who realized that there was much to learn by climbing to the top of the foliage in those forests. Known as the Canopy Lady for her many trips upward and how she even shared the view with others to help them understand, Meg worked with a friend to design a canopy walkway with ladders to make exploring the area easier. Contrary to popular opinion, her time spent in the rainforest canopy led her to conclude that there was abundant life there with many species making their homes in the tiptop of the rainforest and munching on its leaves and even dead or ailing trees. After realizing the importance of the rainforest, Lowman began worrying about its destruction as many industrial and agricultural endeavors plowed through the terrain. Deeply concerned about what would be lost if they disappeared, she worked with local inhabitants to find ways to save the rainforests through ecotourism and other efforts rather than destroy them. But there's a long, long way to go before the rainforests will be completely out of the woods since "progress" continues to threaten them. Back matter includes a photograph of Margaret Lowman, a note from the author, and a vertical spread detailing all the parts of the rainforest--including its layers, leaves, and some inhabitants. This is an inspiring story of persistence and problem-solving that reminds readers that there is still so much about our natural world yet to be learned. It's encouraging that one woman dedicated her life to solving this particular puzzle and then saving the world's diminishing rainforests. This picture book biography belongs in every elementary and intermediate classroom library.
August 16, 2022
Magical AND educational, what is there not to like?
The illustrations were delightful and relaxing. I recommend taking the time to explore the illustrations as you read, as it greatly enhanced my feeling of wonder and excitement as I read the book. I liked the very first illustration: The extreme angle of the tree sweeps your gaze up to top of the tree, drawing you in to the same place illustrated-Meg is looking at. It made me feel like I was right there with her in the forest. The illustrations also matched well with the words on the page, and I didn't feel like I had to turn back or forth to find or re-read the paragraph the illustration was referring to.
I greatly enjoyed the first half of the book. It answered the question of what a leaf detective did - the questions she was curious about, what she tried to study and observe, the kinds of data she recorded, what she found, and the history of innovation in the field (of I guess canopy ecology?).
The second half of the book focused on environmental issues and some of her efforts towards it. I was admittedly a little apprehensive that this book going to be about environmentalism when I first picked up this book, just because I didn't want to read about doom and gloom. (My bias, I know.) This book touched on the feeling of worry and concern she had, and then the efforts and initiatives she did to try to positively improve the situations she observed. Overall, although I think the environmental message was pleasantly done, I still enjoyed the first half of the book a lot more, which to me felt magical and wondrous.
The illustrations were delightful and relaxing. I recommend taking the time to explore the illustrations as you read, as it greatly enhanced my feeling of wonder and excitement as I read the book. I liked the very first illustration: The extreme angle of the tree sweeps your gaze up to top of the tree, drawing you in to the same place illustrated-Meg is looking at. It made me feel like I was right there with her in the forest. The illustrations also matched well with the words on the page, and I didn't feel like I had to turn back or forth to find or re-read the paragraph the illustration was referring to.
I greatly enjoyed the first half of the book. It answered the question of what a leaf detective did - the questions she was curious about, what she tried to study and observe, the kinds of data she recorded, what she found, and the history of innovation in the field (of I guess canopy ecology?).
The second half of the book focused on environmental issues and some of her efforts towards it. I was admittedly a little apprehensive that this book going to be about environmentalism when I first picked up this book, just because I didn't want to read about doom and gloom. (My bias, I know.) This book touched on the feeling of worry and concern she had, and then the efforts and initiatives she did to try to positively improve the situations she observed. Overall, although I think the environmental message was pleasantly done, I still enjoyed the first half of the book a lot more, which to me felt magical and wondrous.
October 31, 2020
The Leaf Detective is the story of Meg Lowman, a scientist who pioneered ground-breaking developments in the study of rainforest ecosystems. Meg began her work in the early 1980s after graduating from college. Before this time, scientists studied the rainforest canopy from the ground by using binoculars. Through trial and error, Meg designed different tools that would enable her to study the rainforest while up in the canopy itself. The amount of life and the complexity of the ecosystem were amazing, but rainforests were being destroyed for farmland and lumber at an astounding rate. Meg’s alternative solutions offered people in rainforests areas other ways to live off the land and forever changed the way we view these ecosystems.
The first impression one gets from this book is how visually stunning it is. Jana Christy’s artwork illustrates the beauty and diversity of rainforest life. Heather Lang's text tells a riveting, multi-faceted story. On one level, it is the biography of a scientist who has had to overcome gender stereotypes to succeed in her profession. On another level, it discusses the scientific process and rainforest biology. The Leaf Detective could be used in schools for different cross-curricular purposes, and it is an essential purchase for elementary school libraries. Highly recommended.
Thanks to NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
April 30, 2021
The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest is a children's picture book written by Heather Lang and illustrated by Jana Christy. It highlights the life of Margaret Lowman, from a childhood steeped in botanical study to an adulthood spent discovering, studying, and advocating for the rainforest.
Margaret D. Lowman is an American biologist, educator, ecologist, writer, explorer, and public speaker. Her expertise involves canopy ecology, canopy plant-insect relationships, and constructing canopy walkways.
Lang's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. This straightforward selection provides an inspiring portrayal and focuses on Lowman's inventiveness and dedication through engaging, poetic text augmented by original quotes. Backmatter includes notes, chart, source notes, and bibliography. Christy's striking illustrations use leafy patterns and repetition of vignettes to underscore Lowman's enthusiasm and determination.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. An originator of rainforest study, she earned several degrees, made countless discoveries, found innovative ways to study the canopy, and worked to educate children and adults to protect the botanical world she loves.
All in all, The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest is an intricate and satisfying portrait of a dedicated woman scientist, innovator, and activist.
Margaret D. Lowman is an American biologist, educator, ecologist, writer, explorer, and public speaker. Her expertise involves canopy ecology, canopy plant-insect relationships, and constructing canopy walkways.
Lang's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. This straightforward selection provides an inspiring portrayal and focuses on Lowman's inventiveness and dedication through engaging, poetic text augmented by original quotes. Backmatter includes notes, chart, source notes, and bibliography. Christy's striking illustrations use leafy patterns and repetition of vignettes to underscore Lowman's enthusiasm and determination.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. An originator of rainforest study, she earned several degrees, made countless discoveries, found innovative ways to study the canopy, and worked to educate children and adults to protect the botanical world she loves.
All in all, The Leaf Detective: How Margaret Lowman Uncovered Secrets in the Rainforest is an intricate and satisfying portrait of a dedicated woman scientist, innovator, and activist.
April 22, 2021
This picture book is a biography about the story of Meg Lowman, a female scientist. She was known as the "real life Lorax", by National Geographic, who was determined to investigate the undiscovered world of the rainforest treetops. Lowman was always fascinated by the natural world above her head, literally. Such as the colors, the branches, and most of all, the leaves and unknown organisms living there. Lowman set out to climb up and investigate the rain forest tree canopies — and to be the first scientist to do so. And although she encountered challenge after challenge, Meg 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.
This biography did not have many literacy elements that stood out to me besides the tone of determination. The illustrations on the other hand are very colourful and allow the reader to get an idea of the types of adventures she went on.
I gave this book a 5 out of 5 because it was very empowering reading about a women in science. I am not usually one to read informational texts, but this one in particular was very interesting. In general I think all informational books are good for children to read as it allows them to connect with the text more rather than learning information from a textbook.
This biography did not have many literacy elements that stood out to me besides the tone of determination. The illustrations on the other hand are very colourful and allow the reader to get an idea of the types of adventures she went on.
I gave this book a 5 out of 5 because it was very empowering reading about a women in science. I am not usually one to read informational texts, but this one in particular was very interesting. In general I think all informational books are good for children to read as it allows them to connect with the text more rather than learning information from a textbook.
October 18, 2022
The Leaf Detective is about how Margaret Lowman uncovered the secrets of the rainforest. It is a nonfiction book because it told me about Margarets Lowman’s life and her discoveries. There was also lots of information about rainforest life. There are green leaves in the book that tell you lots of important facts about the rainforest. The illustrator Jana Christy did a great job by painting the pictures and showing us the environment, with lots of color and details.
This book does a good job informing us about how bad deforestation is for the environment. We need to save our rainforest and trees. This is important because trees are needed for lots of things. I learned that trees are recyclers, they give rain back to the clouds, they can defend themselves, make medicine and are homes for lots of things.
What I really liked about the book was the “Forest Magic” page in the back. It has all different types of animals, trees and the layers of the rainforest with information about them. It taught me where the different animals live in the layers and how tall the trees are.
I would recommend this book in a school classroom, because it could help other kids learn about Margaret Lowman and why trees are great for the environment.
Review by Max V., 6, Maumee Valley Mensa
This book does a good job informing us about how bad deforestation is for the environment. We need to save our rainforest and trees. This is important because trees are needed for lots of things. I learned that trees are recyclers, they give rain back to the clouds, they can defend themselves, make medicine and are homes for lots of things.
What I really liked about the book was the “Forest Magic” page in the back. It has all different types of animals, trees and the layers of the rainforest with information about them. It taught me where the different animals live in the layers and how tall the trees are.
I would recommend this book in a school classroom, because it could help other kids learn about Margaret Lowman and why trees are great for the environment.
Review by Max V., 6, Maumee Valley Mensa
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