We wouldn’t know nearly as much about prehistoric life as we do today if it weren’t for one trail-blazing paleontologist: Mary Anning. And one of her most important discoveries happened when she was just a kid! Award-winning journalist Michele C. Hollow has brought this inspiring story to life in her kids’ book, Jurassic Girl: The Adventures of Mary Anning. It explores the fascinating childhood of the 19th-century fossil hunter.
Michele kindly took the time to answer our questions about Mary Anning, the writing process, and what it takes to bring historical figures to the page.
What first sparked your interest in Mary Anning, and what made you decide she was the perfect subject for a children’s book?
I work as a journalist mostly covering those who help others. A couple of my readers asked me if I had heard of Mary Anning. I did not. I did some online research and was surprised to learn at age 12, back in 1811, she unearthed a 17-foot fossil. What captured my interest was that the men in London’s Geological Society didn’t believe a girl could make such a find. Mary had four things against her:
- She was female.
- She was 12 years old.
- She came from a poor family.
- She was self-educated.
The man Mary sold the fossil to received credit for discovering it. Mary fought back and triumphed.
"I believe children would find Mary’s story inspiring, and maybe show them to trust themselves when others doubt them."
Portrait of Mary Anning, c. 1842. Image from Wikimedia.
Your book focuses on Mary Anning’s childhood. Did you find any challenges researching this time period, and what kind of sources did you look at to learn about Anning’s younger years?
Thanks to online information about Mary, I learned she lived in the seaside town of Lyme Regis in the UK. It’s part of the Jurassic Coast. There’s a Lyme Regis Museum with a Mary Anning wing, which opened about three years ago.
I sent emails to the researchers at the museum and they agreed to answer my many questions. I didn’t want to use information I found online because I wasn’t sure what was fact and what was fiction. For instance, a couple of websites noted the tongue twister “She Sells Seashells by the Sea Shore” was about Mary Anning. The researchers at the museum pointed out that Mary didn’t sell seashells and that the tongue twister was not about her.
They shared information about Mary’s family, and told me about a few biographies. I did a lot of reading about her.
I also focused on life in Lyme Regis in 1811. I wanted to know what people ate, how they made their living, and what they did for entertainment. I chose 1811 because that was the year Mary found her first major fossil.
The Lyme Regis coast. Image courtesy of Michele C. Hollow.
When dealing with history and real people, there can be an overwhelming amount of information. How do you decide what information to include and what to leave out? And are there any stories or facts about Mary Anning you didn’t include in your book, but you’d love to share now?
Mary discovered many fossils throughout her life. I opened with her on the seaside finding small ammonites, which she sold to tourists. The money she earned helped put food on her family’s table.
"She was 12 years old when she found the ichthyosaurus, the 17-foot fossil."
I thought the story should focus on that because it drew interest and doubt from the scientific community, many who didn’t believe a girl could do something so spectacular. I loved how Mary didn’t back down and how she stood up for herself.
After discovering the ichthyosaurus, Mary discovered other fossils. I briefly mentioned those in the epilogue. I wanted to focus on her first major find and the controversy that came with it.
In my research, I found fascinating facts about other fossils and dinosaurs. I’m still learning about new dinosaur discoveries. Those, however, don’t belong in this story.
Ichthyosaurus fossil. Image courtesy of Michele C. Hollow.
Could you describe your writing process for this book? Specifically, what does a “typical” writing day look like for you?
I spent a lot of time researching the story. I came up with several questions I wanted answers to. I approached it like most stories I write as a journalist. The difficult part was making up the dialogue.
I enjoy reading biographies. However, I wanted this to read like a novel. I couldn’t interview Mary or her family. She didn’t have children, neither did her brother. When I write for news magazines, I interview my subjects. Obviously, I couldn’t interview the people in Jurassic Girl. So, I sent lots of questions to the researchers at the Lyme Regis Museum. I also imagined what she and her family and friends would discuss.
What also helped were two writer friends. We were all working on novels. We shared chapters and critiqued them. When you spend a lot of time alone writing, it helps to have another set of eyes on your story. I had two great writers offer helpful advice.
What part of the entire book-making process—from the initial spark of the idea to holding the finished book—was your favorite?
I love history. Reading about the main character, her family and friends, her detractors, and life in her town was a lot of fun.
"I can go down many rabbit holes looking at facts about a person I’m writing about. I love doing research; it’s my favorite part of the writing process."
What is the single most important lesson or idea you hope young readers will take away from Mary Anning’s story?
I want my readers to know if they believe in something and others doubt them or tell them they can’t do something, they should forge ahead.
Statue of Mary Anning with her dog Tray. Image courtesy of Michele C. Hollow.
Do you have any advice for kids looking to become writers?
Read books and news sites on a wide range of topics. Spend time writing, and share your writing with your friends.
Want to learn more about young Mary Anning’s fossil adventures? Don’t forget to check out Jurassic Girl: The Adventures of Mary Anning!
And if you’re curious to learn more about her adult life, we recommend our podcast Anytime Now to uncover the true story of the incredible paleontologist.