Shell Seeker (The Life, Work, and Adventures of a Blind Biologist)

The author had the idea for this book as she was thinking about the NGSS elementary topics on the nature of science and biological evolution and remembered learning about the work of Geerat Vermeij when she was a young biologist studying evolution. Researching his life and work, she quickly became inspired by Vermeij's passion for inquiry, his endless curiosity, his persistence in overcoming adversity as a scientist with a disability, and his unique tactile observation skills. The story of this extraordinary scientist, Suzanne realized, would be best told as a highly illustrated picture book. Through the personal story and scientific illustrations, kids would be able to observe and learn about the animals that Vermeij studied and practice their own inquiry skills along the way.