Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor by Patricia Valdez & Felicita Sala (Children's Nonfiction Picture Book Review)

Happy World Wildlife Day!


Joan Procter, Dragon Doctor:
The Woman Who Loved Reptiles
Written by Patricia Valdez
Illustrated by Felicita Sala
Published by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers
on March 13, 2018
Genre: Children's, Nonfiction, Picture Books, Biography
Length: 40 pages
Ages: 4 - 8 years

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Literary Awards:
NCTE Orbis Picture Award Nominee (2019)
Monarch Award Nominee (2020)

Synopsis:
For fans of Ada Twist: Scientist comes a fascinating picture book biography of a pioneering female scientist--who loved reptiles!

Back in the days of long skirts and afternoon teas, young Joan Procter entertained the most unusual party guests: slithery and scaly ones, who turned over teacups and crawled past the crumpets...

With a lively text and vibrant illustrations, scientist and writer Patricia Valdez and illustrator Felicita Sala bring to life Joan Procter's inspiring story of passion and determination.

Our Thoughts:

Joan Procter grew up in a time and place where inviting scaly reptile friends to tea was quite unacceptable for a little girl but she preferred carrying around lizards to carrying around dolls. She loved reptiles so much that she even received a baby crocodile for her sixteenth birthday!

Joan spent much of her young adult years at the Natural History Museum, where she furthered her research on reptiles and was hired as the curator's assistant once the war left the museum short-staffed, eventually taking over when the curator retired. She even designed the London Zoo's reptile house, including a new exhibit for the 'rumored-to-be-dangerous' komodo dragons!

This fascinating children's nonfiction picture-book biography shares the fascinating life of Joan Procter who loved reptiles and dedicated her life to learning about and caring for them. 

With fun illustrations featuring plenty of colorful snakes, lizards, and more, this book will delight reptile lovers and encourage all readers, especially young girls, to find something you love and turn it into a lifelong passion. It doesn't matter if no one understands your passion as long as you have it!

This biography includes a lengthy bibliography and an author's note that shares even more details of Joan Procter's life and a little bit more about komodo dragons as well!

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