All in a Drop

Written by Lori Alexander · Illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger

A self-taught scientist unveils a hidden world, challenging beliefs with a homemade microscope.

4.1 Goodreads · 565 ratings

96 pages· 6,855 words· Est. 58 min read· 890L

$17.99Save 6%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

Antony van Leeuwenhoek, a simple tradesman, defies the norms of his time by building a microscope that reveals a hidden microbial world. Without formal education or language skills, he challenges the scientific community's beliefs. How did this unexpected pioneer change our understanding of life? Discover the power of curiosity and persistence in this vibrant chapter book, celebrating the remarkable discoveries from the most unlikely sources.

From the publisher

Robert F. Sibert Honor Award winner A Junior Library Guild Selection A 2020 Outstanding Science Trade Book A New York Public Library Best of 2019 A 2020 Best STEM Book by NSTA and CBC For fans of the “Who Was” series, this lively, accessible, and full-color chapter book biography shows how a self-taught scientist was the first to observe the microbial life in and around us. By building his own microscope, Antony van Leeuwenhoek advanced humanity’s understanding of our oft-invisible world around us. Microbes are everywhere: in the soil and oceans, in snow, and inside our bodies. But in Antony van Leeuwenhoek’s time, people believed that what they saw with their own eyes was all that existed in the world. How did a simple tradesman–who didn’t go to college or speak English or Latin like all the other scientists–change everyone’s minds? Proving that remarkable discoveries can come from the most unexpected people and places, this eye-opening chapter book, illustrated with lively full-color art, celebrates the power of curiosity, ingenuity, and persistence.