by Cheryl Bardoe (Author), Jos A. Smith (Illustrator)

The only picture book available about the father of genetics and his pea plants!

How do mothers and fathers--whether they are apple trees, sheep, or humans--pass down traits to their children? This question fascinated Gregor Mendel throughout his life. Regarded as the world's first geneticist, Mendel overcame poverty and obscurity to discover one of the fundamental aspects of genetic science: animals, plants, and people all inherit and pass down traits through the same process, following the same rules.

Living the slow-paced, contemplative life of a friar, Gregor Mendel was able to conceive and put into practice his great experiment: growing multiple generations of peas. From observing yellow peas, green peas, smooth peas, and wrinkled peas, Mendel crafted his theory of heredity--years before scientists had any notion of genes.

Children will be inspired by Gregor's neverending search for knowledge, and his famous experiments are easy to understand as an introduction to genetics.F&P level: Q

Author Biography

Cheryl Bardoe is a former senior project manager of exhibitions at the Field Museum in Chicago. She lives in Wallingford, Connecticut.

Jos. A. Smith is a well-known illustrator of numerous books for children. He is a professor of fine arts at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. He lives in Easton, Pennsylvania.