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The Fossil Whisperer: How Wendy Sloboda Discovered a Dinosaur
A captivating look at the life of a modern-day fossil hunter who makes the find of a lifetime.
Wendy has an eye for the unusual and is skilled at finding things that others don’t see. On a middle school field trip, she spots one of those unusual things — it’s fossilized coral 100 million years old! Wendy’s thrilled! And soon, she gets hooked on hunting fossils. She decides to turn her passion into her career and becomes known as the “fossil whisperer” around the world. But it’s close to home where she makes her most amazing Wendiceratops!
Make no bones about it, a dinosaur species named after you is way cool! Kids will be what might be buried where I live?
Wendy has an eye for the unusual and is skilled at finding things that others don’t see. On a middle school field trip, she spots one of those unusual things — it’s fossilized coral 100 million years old! Wendy’s thrilled! And soon, she gets hooked on hunting fossils. She decides to turn her passion into her career and becomes known as the “fossil whisperer” around the world. But it’s close to home where she makes her most amazing Wendiceratops!
Make no bones about it, a dinosaur species named after you is way cool! Kids will be what might be buried where I live?
32 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 7, 2022
60 people want to read
About the author
Helaine Becker
97 books78 followersHelaine Becker has written over 70 books, including the #1 National bestseller, A Porcupine in a Pine Tree,and its sequel, Dashing through the Snow, Sloth at the Zoom, Dirk Daring, Secret Agent, the Looney Bay All-Stars chapter book series, non-fiction including Counting on Katherine, Worms for Breakfast and Zoobots (all Junior Library Guild Selections), Monster Science, You Can Read, Lines Bars and Circles, and Boredom Blasters, plus many picture books and young adult novels. She also writes for children’s magazines and for children's television. Her show Dr. Greenie's Mad Lab was a finalist at MIP.com Junior in Cannes.
She has won the Lane Anderson Award for Science Writing for Children twice,once for The Big Green Book of the Big Blue Sea and once for The Insecto-Files, and the Picture Book of the Year Award from the Canadian Booksellers Association for A Porcupine in a Pine Tree. She has also won three Silver Birch awards and a Red Cedar award.
Helaine Becker holds U.S. and Canadian citizenship. She attended high school in New York, university in North Carolina (Go Blue Devils!!!!) and now lives in Toronto with her husband and dog, Ella. She has two really handsome sons.
She has won the Lane Anderson Award for Science Writing for Children twice,once for The Big Green Book of the Big Blue Sea and once for The Insecto-Files, and the Picture Book of the Year Award from the Canadian Booksellers Association for A Porcupine in a Pine Tree. She has also won three Silver Birch awards and a Red Cedar award.
Helaine Becker holds U.S. and Canadian citizenship. She attended high school in New York, university in North Carolina (Go Blue Devils!!!!) and now lives in Toronto with her husband and dog, Ella. She has two really handsome sons.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 17, 2022
Such an amazing storybook! I didn't expect to find this much information regarding fossils abd those who are involved in this field in this short book!
Thank you, Kids Can Press, for the advance reading copy.
The book tells the story of Wendy Sloboda who is a well-known preeminent fossil hunter.
You can expect to find beautiful, minimalistic yet pretty illustrations throughout the book with lots of information on fossils and fossil hunting.
A surprising amazing read.
Thank you, Kids Can Press, for the advance reading copy.
The book tells the story of Wendy Sloboda who is a well-known preeminent fossil hunter.
You can expect to find beautiful, minimalistic yet pretty illustrations throughout the book with lots of information on fossils and fossil hunting.
A surprising amazing read.
June 19, 2022
This terrific biography about fossil finder Wendy Sloboda really moves—and shows kids that we can unearth our passions (and sometimes even extraordinary finds) when young. The illustrations are delightfully detailed and dynamic reflecting artistic choices that showcase natural elements, story bits, the main character's impulses, and vibrant colors.
June 18, 2022
Non fiction books are having a moment at present. There are so many incredible non fiction books for young readers to explore, so many more than when I was a child. Helaine Becker is a champion non fiction writer. Her books are always so engaging no matter what the subject matter. In her new book, The Fossil Whisperer: How Wendy Sloboda Discovered a Dinosaur illustrated by Sandra Dumais, we learn all about the scientist that discovered the Wendiceratops. For those in Toronto like us, with an affinity for the Royal Ontario Museum, you may be quite familiar with this dinosaur featured in the Dinosaur gallery.
In this narrative non fiction title, Helaine Becker takes us right back to Wendy’s childhood and how her zest for discovery fueled her passion for paleontology as an adult. Often times there is a moment when the future is seemingly sealed. As a child, Wendy visited the Alberta Badlands and discovered her first fossil and a dream was born. We found it so interesting that Wendy just has an eye for fossils and seems to discover them wherever her work takes her.
Helaine Becker has crafted an incredibly engaging story, you just want to learn more and more about Wendy’s path and her many discoveries. I also love the big gate fold in the middle of the book that opens up to give readers a look at the Western Interior Seaway and its prehistoric inhabitants. The more information authors can pack into a non fiction story the better in my opinion.
The best part of Helaine’s writing is that you can feel the admiration lift right off the pages. No matter what the subject matter, readers will ultimately connect with the subject because of the time, care and zest Helaine adds to each and every one of her narrative non fiction titles.
Back matter is also important in any great non fiction title and more so in a narrative title as readers are hungry for more information after the story is finished. Helaine Becker includes information about the real Wendy Sloboda, a fantastic timeline of Wendy’s discoveries as well as a guide for budding fossil hunters. Something my readers always want to do after reading is to emulate the person so having a guide is very helpful to encourage their connections and extensions of the story.
Sandra Dumais' illustrations are detailed and delightful. Rendered digitally, they have a coloured pencil quality full of highlights from the natural world. Readers will have a great time going through the story and seeing what other animals they can identify in the illustrations. Lots of spreads and vignettes as well as the big gatefold illustrations invite the readers into Wendy’s life and allow them to spend some time as fossil hunters themselves.
In this narrative non fiction title, Helaine Becker takes us right back to Wendy’s childhood and how her zest for discovery fueled her passion for paleontology as an adult. Often times there is a moment when the future is seemingly sealed. As a child, Wendy visited the Alberta Badlands and discovered her first fossil and a dream was born. We found it so interesting that Wendy just has an eye for fossils and seems to discover them wherever her work takes her.
Helaine Becker has crafted an incredibly engaging story, you just want to learn more and more about Wendy’s path and her many discoveries. I also love the big gate fold in the middle of the book that opens up to give readers a look at the Western Interior Seaway and its prehistoric inhabitants. The more information authors can pack into a non fiction story the better in my opinion.
The best part of Helaine’s writing is that you can feel the admiration lift right off the pages. No matter what the subject matter, readers will ultimately connect with the subject because of the time, care and zest Helaine adds to each and every one of her narrative non fiction titles.
Back matter is also important in any great non fiction title and more so in a narrative title as readers are hungry for more information after the story is finished. Helaine Becker includes information about the real Wendy Sloboda, a fantastic timeline of Wendy’s discoveries as well as a guide for budding fossil hunters. Something my readers always want to do after reading is to emulate the person so having a guide is very helpful to encourage their connections and extensions of the story.
Sandra Dumais' illustrations are detailed and delightful. Rendered digitally, they have a coloured pencil quality full of highlights from the natural world. Readers will have a great time going through the story and seeing what other animals they can identify in the illustrations. Lots of spreads and vignettes as well as the big gatefold illustrations invite the readers into Wendy’s life and allow them to spend some time as fossil hunters themselves.
March 27, 2022
This book is based on a real paleontologist and dinosaur expert who works at the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller, Alberta (Canada). This children's picture book biography would be interesting, inspiring and relatable for young dinosaur and fossil lovers. This book has wonderful STEM connections and features a female role model who discovered a dinosaur that is even named after her! I can't think of anything more exciting for young dino-lovers to dream of! The book also includes information about the real Wendy Sloboda, information about Wendiceratops and fossil hunting, a timeline, a glossary and other sources. As a grade 3 teacher, I would definitely purchase a copy of this book for my classroom library. Picture book biographies about leaders in the world of STEM are growing in popularity and for good reason! This book fits right in that market as a relatively accessible book, with beautiful pictures and telling the story of a scientist who is also a trendsetter and role model for young children, and this case, especially girls. I would recommend this book to teachers, librarians and families of children in the 5-12 age range, especially those fossil and dino lovers. It is also about a Canadian landmark and Canadian scientist!
November 21, 2022
This is a great way to engage young readers in the process of scientific discovery. Science is not some inert thing in a textbook. It's happening how with people who are making things happen!
Helaine Becker introduces young readers to Wendy Slobada when she was a tween in Alberta, Canada where she discovered her first fossil, some ancient coral, while on a field trip. She was just 12 years old. Since then, she has discovered a lot of interesting fossils, including a dinosaur embryo and an entirely new species, subsequently named after her: the Wendiceratops.
The pictures by Sandra Dumais are informative yet dynamic. The back matter includes a four-paragraph biography of Slobada, a guide "How to Be a Fossil Hunter," a timeline of Wendy's key discoveries, a description of Alberta's amazing bone beds, a small call box about how fossils are formed, a full page with a photo about the Wendiceratops, a glossary, and a list of further resources, including three websites.
I would read this to children ages 5 through 8 (with maybe some paraphrasing). I would provide this to young readers ages 8 to 11 to read independently.
Helaine Becker introduces young readers to Wendy Slobada when she was a tween in Alberta, Canada where she discovered her first fossil, some ancient coral, while on a field trip. She was just 12 years old. Since then, she has discovered a lot of interesting fossils, including a dinosaur embryo and an entirely new species, subsequently named after her: the Wendiceratops.
The pictures by Sandra Dumais are informative yet dynamic. The back matter includes a four-paragraph biography of Slobada, a guide "How to Be a Fossil Hunter," a timeline of Wendy's key discoveries, a description of Alberta's amazing bone beds, a small call box about how fossils are formed, a full page with a photo about the Wendiceratops, a glossary, and a list of further resources, including three websites.
I would read this to children ages 5 through 8 (with maybe some paraphrasing). I would provide this to young readers ages 8 to 11 to read independently.
February 27, 2022
The amazing story of how Wendy Sloboda discovered her first dinosaur fossil at such a young age... and how her fascination with dinosaurs and fossils grew into a career for her when she became an adult. (She is living a lot of kids' dreams!)
Note for conservative Christians:
This picture book uses dates ranging back millions and millions of years ago to date the fossils. This is not the earthly timeline I believe in. If you feel the same, you can easily skip over those years when reading with your child.
The illustrations have a kid-drawn quality to them, and it's pretty cute!
Definitely recommend! 4 star book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
Note for conservative Christians:
This picture book uses dates ranging back millions and millions of years ago to date the fossils. This is not the earthly timeline I believe in. If you feel the same, you can easily skip over those years when reading with your child.
The illustrations have a kid-drawn quality to them, and it's pretty cute!
Definitely recommend! 4 star book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
June 17, 2022
Having just finished Steve Brusatte's Rise & Fall of the Dinosaurs, I found this story very fascinating. Wendy Sloboda loved adventures--exploring, finding interesting things. On a school trip to the badlands area of Canada, she fell in love with discovering fossils. When she was 17, she found a dinosaur skeleton of an undiscovered species of ceratopsian that was thousands of years older than the species everyone knew about. Paleontologists were able to makes connections back to the one she found to understand the evolution of the species. And they named the dinosaur after her. She's made countless other discoveries & it was so interesting to read her story. What kid wouldn't want to dig up a dinosaur?
November 15, 2022
An excellent picture-book bio of the famous fossil whisperer, Wendy Sloboda, which includes the backstory of how she made her important discoveries and a kid-friendly introduction to the science and methods of paleontology. Endnotes provide fascinating information about the “Real Wendy,” tips for how to be a fossil hunter, a list of Wendy’s most important discoveries to date, a description of Alberta’s bone beds, a note on how fossils are formed, information about Wendiceratops, a glossary, and a helpful list of resources for further study. Illustrations seem to be a little juvenile for the subject.
December 2, 2021
While I didn't really take to the art style here (digitally made, but coming across as rather too crayony and cartoonish), I certainly appreciated the inspiring look at a real-life fossil hunter. The fact she is able to bust the myth of what a scientist looks like (here with a tattoo of her finds on one arm, and rather punky and exaggerated hair) is one further feather to the bow here. And while the book concentrates on the Canadian Badlands, it should have a global appeal – helped no end by the engineering of some mahoosive panoramic fold-out sections.
April 9, 2022
I finally found the answer to the question "if you could have one superpower, what would it be?" I want to have the power to find dinosaur fossils and bones. Wendy Sloboda found her first fossil discovery when she was just 12 years old. She found so many fossils and bones over the years that they called her a fossil whisperer. Eventually, she found the skull of a dinosaur that had never been discovered before. Her bio is fascinating. The resources at the end of the book are great and not just some random books and websites on the subject.
October 27, 2022
The Fossil Whisperer is a can-do kid tale of a girl with a great eye for fossils. Wendy Sloboda had some amazing discoveries near her home as a girl, which led her into the field of paleontology. Fortitude, adventure, persistence, and discovery in stem lead as themes for this scientific children's book. Great representation of women in a STEM field.
Read as a nomination in the non-fiction book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).
Read as a nomination in the non-fiction book award category as a panelist for Children's and Young Adult Bloggers' Literary Awards (Cybils Awards).
March 24, 2022
This is a well written and illustrated book about a palentologist. Before this book, I had never heard of Wendy Sloboda. I think the format of the book is a little hard to follow with the pages in the middle that are identifying facts about random dinosaurs. I think the book would be better with those at the end or removed all together.
Thank you to Kids Can Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Kids Can Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
March 5, 2022
I was not a fan of this book, this coming from an aspiring anthropologist currently working as a librarian. The book was not as expected. I thought that more detail could have been given to fossil hunting, not just the character's ability to find fossils. The story fell a little flat.
This book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 25, 2022
From this book, I "made acquaintance" of Wendy Sloboda, whom I've never heard before. And Wendy is still young and alive and loves to find hidden things, like fossils. And through this book, I learned that you might have an unusual hobby, but like Wendy, you can nurture your favorite pass-time into a wonderful passion.
July 14, 2022
Good picture book biography. Wendy is a fossil hunter with dreads and tattoos and an almost mythic knack for finding rare specimens. We always need more women in science books and this one is short enough that it can easily be read in one sitting. The illustrations are well done and I love illustrated end papers!
July 19, 2022
A fun quick fossil story for youth to enjoy. Not as riveting read as other fossil hunter youth nonfiction but an inspiration for youth with Wendy’s start and first find while on a local field trip when she was a kid. Includes notes after the story on how to amateur fossil hunt and the wendiceratops, the dinosaur named after the protagonist.
February 25, 2022
Thanks to Netgalley and Kids Can Press for a free digital copy.
A great book about Wendy Sloboda the fossil whisperer. Gives kids just enough information about Wendy and dinosaur fossils to whet their appetite for more scientific knowledge.
A great book about Wendy Sloboda the fossil whisperer. Gives kids just enough information about Wendy and dinosaur fossils to whet their appetite for more scientific knowledge.
July 17, 2022
Interesting look at paleontologist Wendy Sloboda's journey in becoming a world renowned discoverer and studier of fossils (she even has some named in her honor). Simple story, interesting illustrations. No bibliography though - bummer.
July 19, 2022
This vibrant and inspiring biography celebrates a modern-day paleontologist. Dinosaur discoveries aren't a thing of the past--new fossils and entirely new species are being discovered all of the time. A section at the book's conclusion gives more background on the book's themes.
June 12, 2022
Book received for free through NetGalley
I absolutely love this book. Love the story, nonfiction bits, and the drawings. Both my daughters loved it
I absolutely love this book. Love the story, nonfiction bits, and the drawings. Both my daughters loved it
August 1, 2022
Better for older kids or to just have as a supplemental non-fiction.
March 21, 2023
A 20th century Mary Anning, Wendy Sloboda is a real-life stem superhero.
October 10, 2022
The prose is at times awkward to read aloud, but my kids and I have enjoyed this one. I love a true story that honors the importance of everyday curiosity.
April 29, 2022
It was fine. I hate the artwork. And I’m not sure why her hair is shown standing straight up. Which is whatever. It’s just odd. The entire thing felt slapdash and not entirely well thought out.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews