Picture Book: Snowflake Bentley
Author: Jacqueline
Briggs Martin
Illustrator: Mary
Azarian
Summary:
In 19th century Vermont, Wilson Bentley had a passion for snow. When
he was given a microscope, Willie began looking at snowflakes and studying the
ice crystals. He became fascinated and wished he could save them somehow to
show others. He tried drawing their designs, but they always melted too
quickly. Despite the high cost, at 17 Willie’s parents gave him a new
invention, a microscope with a camera. Painstakingly, Willie was able to
successfully photograph the best examples of snowflakes and show them to others,
sell them, or give them as gifts. Willie believed his knowledge was a gift to
the world, but some neighbors and peers thought his work was a waste of time. Soon
he began to understand the influences on and structure of snowflakes; then he realized
that no two snowflakes are alike. Artists, designers, and professors began to
be interested in his work. For 50 years, Willie shared his knowledge by giving
presentations, and eventually, with financial support from scientists, created a
book of his best photographs and acquired knowledge. Sadly, “Snowflake Bentley”
died soon after the publication of this book, a book that is still read today.
A monument and museum were eventually built in his memory.
Hanna’s Comments: I love the passion and perseverance in this story! Wilson
Bentley is a quiet hero of science who has truly given the world a beautiful gift.
As faith communities nurture their children and youth, it behooves these
communities to encourage the discovery of individual passions and explore ways
in which each young person can benefit their world with ideas, skills, and enthusiasm.
Willie’s faith in his vocation and the beauty and importance of his work, even
though it was with a small and fleeting object, is inspiring.
Publisher & Date of Publication: Houghton Mifflin, 1998
Age & Grade Appropriateness: 4 and up, Pre and up
# of Pages:
32
Available in Spanish? Not at present
Formats other than Book: Audio book, There is an amateur video of this
book being read on Youtube.com as well as an 8 minute video about Wilson
Bentley.
PBT Category:
Award Winner (Caldecott Medal), Biography, Pre 2K
PBT Topics this Book Connects with: abundance/bounty, action,
aspirations/dreams, attentiveness/observation/seeing, awe, beauty,
call/calling/vocation, care of creation, challenges, commitment, creation,
creativity/imagination/ingenuity, discovery/invention, diversity, the
environment/nature, evangelism, gentleness/meekness, gifts/talents, God’s
nature, gospel/good news, heroes, individuality/uniqueness, labor/work,
mission, obstacles, parents/parental love, passion, patience, perseverance,
perspective, pleasing God/the Shema, purpose, questioning/questions, sacrifice,
satisfaction, secrets, sharing, snow, steadfastness, treasure, truth, variety,
vision, water, weather, wonder
Scripture Connections: the charismatic passions of Elijah, John the
Baptist, or Paul
Idea(s) for Application: In
addition to the other ideas that I’ve shared above, this book could be used as
an exploration of the concept of contemplation.
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