This is the story of an incredible woman who, as a little girl, loved science more than anything else. But, at the time when she lived in Warsaw, women could not go to university. Her mother had died when she was just ten years of age but her father understood her great passion and sent her and her younger sister to a secret school where they could study with real professors. It was a very difficult time for Marie, working all day and studying at night with no heating in winter to keep her warm. Then a friend introduced her to Pierre Curie, another scientist whose work Marie had read about. They both fell deeply in love and were married on ‘a startling summer’s day’ then, climbing on their two brand-new bicycles, rode off into the countryside together.

Settling down to married life, they both worked all day in the laboratory even when Marie became mother to two little girls, Irene and Eve, who grew up to be just like their mum, independent and determined.

This is just the beginning of this wonderful story. At this time, scientists thought the atom was the smallest part of any element. But Marie was thinking what would happen if scientists broke the atom apart?

Don’t miss this book. It is picture-book size with over 60 pages of an incredibly fascinating story told in detail with brightly coloured comic strips helping to tell this amazing story.

Reviewed by Merle Morcom
Age Guide 8+