History At Its Best: THOMAS JEFFERSON'S BATTLE FOR SCIENCE

Happy book birthday! And congrats to the winner of the giveaway @AnnieLynn215!

(Contest ended 5/14/2024)

ASTRA BOOKS/ CALKINS CREEK, 2024

I'm excited to introduce you to THOMAS JEFFERSON’S BATTLE FOR SCIENCE, Bias, Truth, and a Mighty Moose, written by Beth Anderson, illustrated by Jeremy Holmes. Following my review of the book, I'm pleased to offer an interview with Anderson. This is a longer post than usual, but I hope you'll find it worth reading! A book giveaway and other features are included there, so read on!

Of course you know that name. Thomas Jefferson is considered to be a Founding Father of this country, the  primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Like most other famous figures of his time, his name triggers conflicted responses from modern observers. As a landed, slaveholding, white man of privilege and education, Jefferson’s complex life and choices invite a closer look. In this book, superb researcher and writer Beth Anderson explores Jefferson's lifelong study of natural science and its documentation. The book cover and opening spread incorporate examples of a few of the things he observed, measured, and recorded throughout his life. Anderson’s first line is:

 “Thomas Jefferson measured his world.” 

That opening page then reveals that Jefferson's passion was not only to acquire science data, but to record it and share his love of science, one reason he founded the University of Virginia. Throughout the pages, Anderson’s informative, fascinating, and humorous text appears across illustrations that incorporate artfully rendered versions of Jefferson’s archival notes, notebooks, and objects from his collections of fossils and natural artifacts, gathered and preserved by him, and by friends who knew of his intense interests. 

Interior: Opening Spread

Interior: Jefferson Questioning

During Jefferson’s time, a French naturalist, Count Georges-Louis Leclerc de Buffon, was considered the ultimate expert on nature, proclaiming information about Europe and beyond in his multi-volume Encyclopedia of the Natural World. Jefferson’s deep admiration for that publication turned to furious indignity when he read Buffon’s “factual” accounts of North America’s nature. Buffon had never traveled there, relying instead on anecdotal reports from those who had visited the continent. His conclusions were shaped by those limitations and his bias that natural resources in Europe were immeasurably better than those in the “New World”. Buffon asserted that this new country was mainly a miserable swampy land and climate, with NO creatures or flora of significance, certainly none that could rival those found in Europe.

Jefferson’s ire led him to write his own nature study book, documenting his findings with actual measurements and confirmable observations. Spanning years of his life, his challenges to the information in Buffon’s Encyclopedia did little to overcome its wide circulation or the naturalist’s firm authority on the topic. The role of that enormous MOOSE in the subtitle played a crucial role in Jefferson’s motivation (and eventual success) at documenting the truth of his own claims, arguing against Buffon’s assertions and his biased beliefs. Packed with intensity and lighthearted moments (a rotting, one-antlered moose in a crate!) this picture book reveals Jefferson to be a devoted scientist of his day, seeking truth even when the discoveries eventually unstitched the fabric of his own beliefs (his denial of extinction, among others).

 

Not only is the main text a blend of compelling narrative with intriguing details of history, and personality, it is embedded with natural science. It also demonstrates the ways in which Jefferson intentionally and regularly used the scientific inquiry process (summarized in back matter). Always curious, he noticed, questioned, observed closely, collected and analyzed data, and drew conclusions based on facts, recording every step along the way. 

 

Anderson’s author notes are, as always, invaluable to expand resources and better understand the contents through a wider lens. In this case she directly addresses the questionable aspects of Jefferson’s life: slaveholding, errors in his science, the impact on First Nations that resulted from the westward explorations of Lewis and Clark as ordered by Jefferson while president, as well as his own confirmation bias in pursuit of science. She also explains confirmation bias and its effect on scientific studies and interpretation. The point is clearly made that science is always developing further facts and shifting our understanding of new and prior material reported as “facts”. In science, and in social/general information, it is essential to consider the reliability and intentions of the sources of data, the possible omission of related data, and other factors before accepting claims of factual content as fully correct.

 

Interior
Inquiry Process Graphic

The illustrations throughout, both in main text pages and back matter, are priceless in providing readers with verifiable details regarding the account of Jefferson’s life and science passion. Evidence of research (both deep and wide) using primary sources appear on every page and in every paragraph. This new release is a perfect example of my thesis that quality picture books will find eager audiences at every age. This nonfiction offering allows the youngest to expand understanding of an American icon while enjoying many animal facts and images. The portrait of Jefferson’s national pride, personal interests, love of nature and science, and passionate commitment to the truth will impress older readers, including adults. The depiction of Jefferson’s habits and personality give us an engaging and entertaining story. The science of his time and through today make this not only a STEM asset but one well-suited to social studies inclusion as well. I highly recommend it. Check out Anderson's website, and a few of my reviews of her earlier, equally informative and entertaining picture books, HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.

And now, on to a short conversation with Beth Anderson!

SB:  Congratulations on this recent release, Beth. Your track record for finding and sharing the stories of lesser-known historic figures took an intriguing turn with this look at Jefferson and his love of natural science. He’s among the most well-known of our national figures yet I admit to only a passing awareness of his naturalist/scientist identity. I’m anxious to know how you encountered this topic and what made you commit to the extensive research and writing involved. 

 

BA: Thanks so much for the opportunity to share THOMAS JEFFERSON’S BATTLE FOR SCIENCE! I saw an article about Jefferson and the moose, and it struck me as jam-packed with all sorts of good stuff: history, science, quirkiness, curricular connections, and consequential concepts of truth and misinformation that ring loud and clear in the world today. I found the topic IRRESISTIBLE! There was a lot of research to wade through—which is good, but also a challenge. While a couple other picture books about Jefferson mention this incident with Buffon and focus on exploration or measurement, I saw it as a story about misinformation and truth. Kids get it on the most basic level of truth vs lies. And they tend to think, like Buffon, that bigger means better. And there was a bit of “ew.” So there was a lot immediately relatable, but I also saw an opportunity to push their thinking a bit and provide something for the classroom. 

 

This incident is one piece of Jefferson’s use and misuse of science, so there was a huge heaviness with the subject, too. I started it in 2018 with the idea that, though facts seem simple things, they’re not. They can be manipulated or made up (nonfacts) and cause tremendous problems. This focus fit with curriculum standards about opinions, facts, and nonfacts, and could model and encourage essential critical thinking skills. There was just so much potential in this story—which is exciting, but also a bit daunting when trying to figure out how to shape and focus it. Once I see so much, I can’t let go and am determined to find a way. 

 

SB: I was impressed with the balance you achieved in discussing this conflicting use of science. Your writing is always filled with lovely language, insights, and heart. Those qualities are evident in this text, too.  Was it challenging to find a story narrative behind this science-focused and detailed topic? If so, how did you go about finding your way forward to this success?

 

BA: I found the basic narrative right away. A narrative with science. The question was how to use the science within the narrative. It was also a challenge to find the beginning and ending, how to make it ring today, and what to do with the negative pieces. I didn’t want to ignore the hard truths. But since those can’t always be scientifically measured, how do they fit, or not, in the story? I carried a few of the hard truths through many revisions, with the idea that larger human truths can only be measured with the heart. Though I loved that contrast, it pulled away too much. If I could share a story that helps kids understand bias and how important it is to question, then I could leave the more difficult ideas in back matter to be pondered. 

 

I know kids are taught to “think like a scientist” when they question and verify, so that was my first path. After I worked with the information (for nine months!), I realized that it fit the basic scientific inquiry process. In revision 23, I began to shape and word it to correspond to that. To find the ending, I went back into the research and found that Jefferson’s book had been published in various forms in the U.S. while he was away. Because of that, science made its way into the hands of everyday people…and parts were in school books. Yes! Now I knew that what Jefferson did was impacting a new generation, a way for me to carry that forward to today. And in a great quote that’s in the back matter, he said he hoped future generations would continue to move science forward, better than his generation did. That was the key to the ending, but that too didn’t come for a very long time. 

 

SB: I suspect that your deep research revealed plenty of surprises involving Jefferson and his extensive records and interests. Will you share one or more of your discoveries that caught you by surprise or had a powerful impact on your text development?

 

BA: Seeing Jefferson’s total obsession with science contributed a lot to character and how it all played out on the page. 

 

Here’s one of the many quotes that were cut. When Jefferson arrived at Buffon’s home for dinner, he was handed one of Buffon’s papers to read while he waited for the scientist. Buffon said, “When Mr. Jefferson shall have read this, he will be perfectly satisfied that I am right.” LOL! Quotes like that reveal attitudes. 

 

An interesting historical tidbit is the letter to Jefferson from James Madison in which he goes on and on about government business and then launches into meticulous details of a dead weasel which he had examined and measured. Just goes to show you how irresistibly fascinating science is and how a network of enthusiasts supported Jefferson’s efforts. 

 

Oh, one more good one…with an “ew” factor. The moose was already quite bedraggled when it was put in the shipping crate and placed at the dock for shipment. But then, the ship captain forgot it. Sullivan had to find another captain to take it to France. More waiting. And then of course, the long journey across the Atlantic. That’s what’s behind the “monstrous stench” when Jefferson opens the crate. So even though you can’t include all those extras, they impact word choice. 

 

Although many quotes and details had to be cut, I think illustrator Jeremy Holmes could read my mind! He included so many historical, (some hysterical), details in the art. His illustrations absolutely blew me away!

 

SB: I particularly admire your use of the author note to directly address some of the more concerning aspects of Jefferson and his role within our country’s very troubling history. You used a very balanced hand to discuss the wrongs of society and Jefferson’s place within that history without being judgmental. Can you discuss how you found that balance with readers here?

 

BA: Jefferson is a controversial topic, for sure. While some of the details of his obsession with science are fun and commendable, there was also flawed thinking that used “science” to support racist and damaging ideas. I don’t think it’s right to share one without the other. (If this story was written fifty years ago, most of that back matter wouldn’t be there.) This story about misinformation, mistruths, and bias is also about how we determine value. Buffon’s conclusions that “bigger” implies “better,” and that “different” is “inferior” are common with kids. We judge things through the lens of what benefits us. I have a tendency to want to share these kinds of big ideas, which creates a challenge, but I think kids are very capable thinkers. My hope is that if kids can understand this with animals and environment, that they can then move to understanding the tremendous problems with this kind of thinking about human beings. It’s also valuable for kids to see that we are complex and flawed creatures—and we all carry biases. The challenge is to recognize them and be able to admit when we’re wrong and have more to learn. Not only should we search for truth with facts, but also by considering how the consequences of our actions impact others. I tried to be straightforward and choose words carefully—words to promote thought.

 

SB: Naturally, there had to be MANY details left out of your final work, elements not included because they did not serve this story well. Do some of those remain unforgettable to you? Any that nag you into writing more about them in some other platform?

 

BA: You’re right—SO many great details had to go. One of the tidbits I found amusing, and astounding, was the inconsistent logic in Buffon’s information and how (and why) he could come to some of his bizarre conclusions. Here are a couple. North America is cold and swampy. Huh? Well, the French explored Canada and the Louisiana area, right? Yep, swampy and cold. Now I get it—a bit of over generalization. Another one: all the creatures in North America were smaller than in Europe. Except for the apparently giant mosquitos and reptiles…haha! Learning these things made me ever more certain that I wanted to impress upon kids the importance of critical thinking when reading. 

 

I’m going to pass on Buffon and the Giant Bugs. 

 

SB: As I always ask, what kinds of upcoming works should we be watching for? Any projects not yet ready to announce but ones that feel especially exciting to you? 

 

BA: There are two in the pipeline with Calkins Creek. One story found new life after years in the drawer. I pulled it out when recent events brought it to mind. HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT: KATE WARNE AND THE RACE TO SAVE PRESIDENT LINCOLN, illustrated by Sally Wern Comport, is about the Baltimore Plot, when conspirators tried to prevent Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration. Warne was the first female detective in the U.S. I recently saw the sketches and WOW! It’s going to be amazing! That’s spring 2025. 

 

And in spring 2026…the story of a spunky teen, SCULPTING PRESIDENT LINCOLN: VINNIE REAM CARVES OUT HER FUTURE, illustrated by Jenn Ely. Clearly, I love stories of spunky young women! And a good Lincoln story! 

 

I have a new manuscript out on sub…..stay tuned. Another story that recent events have made newly relevant!

SB: Thanks so much for your generosity of time insights. And thank you for making THESE offerings possible:

 

CLICK HERE for the Educator Guide for THOMAS JEFFERSON'S BATTLE FOR SCIENCE.

Fans of BETH, SCIENCE, JEFFERSON, and TRUTH can purchase signed copies HERE, 

and preorder at any bookstore, online, or at the publisher.

As is often the case with BETH ANDERSON, special added features are developed to introduce her remarkable books to readers, like this short VIDEO CLIP.

Beth has also generously offered a copy of this new book. Any comment added to this post enters you in the giveaway. If you share the post on Insta, X(Twitter), or FB, add a link to your share in the comments for an extra entry. The winner will be chosen and announced on May 14, 2024, BOOK BIRTHDAY for this terrific new offering. The winner's name  will be added to the top of this post and also included in a new post on that day. Looking forward to sharing it with someone!