A book about Maria Sibylla Merian, a woman who was early in the field of insect and plant study and painting, with a unique emphasis on metamorphasis. The book starts off by disclosing that there is very little known about her except for a few archival materials, and her illustrations. But the Todd, the author, combines her story wonderfully and informatively with the history of the times (mostly late 1600s, early 1700s).

Todd was clearly enchanted by her subject and her illustrations, and makes it clear that for a woman to be doing this work at this time displays a unique spirit and drive. The book flap says that Todd has a degree in "creative non-fiction," which I'd never heard of, but that's exactly what this book does, creatively tells a true story. She takes a subject that I would have thought was not especially interesting, to me, and just makes it soar. This is an area of study that I had no idea I was interested in! The book left me feeling smarter and optimistic about, well, life by tell the story with the emphasis on a woman overcoming large obstacles through her fascination with metamorphasis, but as Todd portays it...transformation.

The only thing I wish was more information on what metamorphasis actually is. While it was explained towards the end, it was the only thing in the book that I didn't feel that I grasped. This book made me aware of what a unique scientific process metamorphasis is, as well as a wonderful metaphor. I was enough intrigued to want to learn more on my own. That says alot!