Winner of The Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award Selected for the CCBC Choices 2019 list Children's Literature Freeman Award 2018 A Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2019 Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean tells its story through the memories of a farm boy who, inspired by Pu Zhelong, became a scientist himself.
The story features a narrator shaped by the influences of Pu Zhelong, offering a unique perspective on Chinese culture and the natural history of insects. Enhanced by Melanie Chan's historically accurate watercolors, it engages young readers with themes of nature, science, and agricultural practices in Communist China. The backmatter enriches the narrative by providing additional context and background, making this picture book both educational and visually appealing.