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Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean: Remembering Chinese Scientist Pu Zhelong's Work for Sustainable Farming
“The first time I saw a scientist in my village was also the first time I saw a wasp hatch out of a moth’s egg,” writes the narrator of this picture book about Chinese scientist Pu Zhelong. “In that moment I could not have said which was the more unexpected—or the more miraculous.”
In the early 1960s, while Rachel Carson was writing and defending Silent Spring in the U.S., Pu Zhelong was teaching peasants in Mao Zedong’s Communist China how to forgo pesticides and instead use parasitic wasps to control the moths that were decimating crops and contributing to China’s widespread famine.
This story told through the memories of a farm boy (a composite of people inspired by Pu Zhelong) will immerse young readers in Chinese culture, the natural history of insects, and sustainable agriculture. Backmatter provides historical context for this lovely, sophisticated picture book.
In the early 1960s, while Rachel Carson was writing and defending Silent Spring in the U.S., Pu Zhelong was teaching peasants in Mao Zedong’s Communist China how to forgo pesticides and instead use parasitic wasps to control the moths that were decimating crops and contributing to China’s widespread famine.
This story told through the memories of a farm boy (a composite of people inspired by Pu Zhelong) will immerse young readers in Chinese culture, the natural history of insects, and sustainable agriculture. Backmatter provides historical context for this lovely, sophisticated picture book.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published February 6, 2018
131 people want to read
About the author
Sigrid Schmalzer
8 books4 followersSigrid Schmalzer received her Ph.D. in History and Science Studies in 2004 from the University of California, San Diego. Her research focuses on social, cultural, and political aspects of the history of science in modern China and also includes the history of science activism transnationally. She has published numerous academic books and articles, along with a children’s picture book based on her research.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
December 14, 2017
A picture book about a scientist who pioneered integrated pest management sounds boring, but Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean is anything but. Schmaltzer presents the life of Pu Zhelong through flashbacks and connects it to a child's-eye view of a changing world, set in Communist-era China. Illustrator Chan has created a fascinating multi-layered visual feast that frames the flashbacks as journal pages that incorporate historically and scientifically accurate illustrations of tools and insects set within beautifully designed Chinese paper cuts. A great STEAM pick for classrooms or home. Both the art and the science are fantastic. (This review was based on an Advance Copy)
March 7, 2018
A farm boy in China relates the tale of Pu Zhelong, a scientist and conservationist, and introduces readers to early research in sustainable agriculture practices in MOTH AND WASP, SOIL AND OCEAN.
Through a series of flashbacks, Schmalzer reveals how invasive moths and beetles were destroying precious village crops. When villagers try to defeat the pests, their methods repeatedly fail. As the threat of famine looms, Pu Zhelong, an outsider, arrives bearing new, untested scientific ideas. Can Pu Zhelong save the rice crop without using harmful and ineffective pesticides?
With patience, restraint and deference, Pu Zhelong eventually wins over the skeptical villagers. His innovative methodology, introducing parasitic wasps to destroy the crop-consuming moths, led to a successful and sustainable victory for the farmers. Schmaltzer’s imaginative and informative text weaves a tale that will engage young scientists with its ingenuity and sophistication while celebrating this little-known environmental hero.
Debut illustrator Melanie Linden Chan pairs intricate and multi-layered images with the factual content, making this book a pleasure for young readers to pore over. Structuring the narrator’s flashbacks in a journal format, Chan cleverly weaves scientifically precise illustrations against a lush agricultural setting. Elements of Chinese art, history and culture frame the narrative in an engaging, pictoral manner that both delight and inform.
An extensive endnote provides additional information on the history of the story, as well as suggestions for further reading. Also included is a detailed explanation of the decorative Chinese folkart papercuts utilized by the illustrator, and referenced to the pages where they appear in the text.
MOTH AND WASP, SOIL AND OCEAN offers a unique, child-friendly perspective on a earliest origins of agroscience. Add this STEAM selection to your school or classroom library to add depth to collections on organic farming, sustainable agriculture and Chinese history.
Through a series of flashbacks, Schmalzer reveals how invasive moths and beetles were destroying precious village crops. When villagers try to defeat the pests, their methods repeatedly fail. As the threat of famine looms, Pu Zhelong, an outsider, arrives bearing new, untested scientific ideas. Can Pu Zhelong save the rice crop without using harmful and ineffective pesticides?
With patience, restraint and deference, Pu Zhelong eventually wins over the skeptical villagers. His innovative methodology, introducing parasitic wasps to destroy the crop-consuming moths, led to a successful and sustainable victory for the farmers. Schmaltzer’s imaginative and informative text weaves a tale that will engage young scientists with its ingenuity and sophistication while celebrating this little-known environmental hero.
Debut illustrator Melanie Linden Chan pairs intricate and multi-layered images with the factual content, making this book a pleasure for young readers to pore over. Structuring the narrator’s flashbacks in a journal format, Chan cleverly weaves scientifically precise illustrations against a lush agricultural setting. Elements of Chinese art, history and culture frame the narrative in an engaging, pictoral manner that both delight and inform.
An extensive endnote provides additional information on the history of the story, as well as suggestions for further reading. Also included is a detailed explanation of the decorative Chinese folkart papercuts utilized by the illustrator, and referenced to the pages where they appear in the text.
MOTH AND WASP, SOIL AND OCEAN offers a unique, child-friendly perspective on a earliest origins of agroscience. Add this STEAM selection to your school or classroom library to add depth to collections on organic farming, sustainable agriculture and Chinese history.
May 7, 2018
Thank you to @kidlitexchange #partner for the review copies of these books. All opinions are my own.
Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean is a beautifully told narrative about a Chinese scientist of comes to a small village in China to help them solve the bug problem that is ruining their crops and making them all so sick.
Written by Sigrid Schmalzer, this narrative is told through the eyes of a young village boy. This boy is living in a very small village in China. His family and the other villagers are rice and lychee farmers. Because of a problem with bugs that the villagers try to solve on their own, they are quickly loosing their crops which is their sole income and food supply. One day a Chinese scientist comes to their small village and shows them a way they can use the bugs to create a natural solution to their problem. It is while working with the scientist that the young boy begins to dream of becoming a scientist and helping his village continue to improve on the solutions they have found.
This is a beautifully told story written in a way that you feel a part of the sorrow that the villagers are feeling. The illustrations on every page, beautifully rendered by Melanie Linden Chan, help the reader better understand what is happening in the story. She has even included stunning laser cut Chinese symbols and artwork on some of the pages to complement the story. Chan spent time researching the illustrations throughout the book to make sure they stayed true to the story and the message she was trying to portray.
One thing that really sold me on this book was the fact that the last few pages include an explanation of the Chinese symbols located throughout the book as well as the story behind the story. I found this story just as fascinating as reading the words throughout the book. I also appreciate that, if someone wants to do further study, a list of additional titles is included. I wholeheartedly give this book 5 stars and have added it to my list of books to purchase. Excellent book!
Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean is a beautifully told narrative about a Chinese scientist of comes to a small village in China to help them solve the bug problem that is ruining their crops and making them all so sick.
Written by Sigrid Schmalzer, this narrative is told through the eyes of a young village boy. This boy is living in a very small village in China. His family and the other villagers are rice and lychee farmers. Because of a problem with bugs that the villagers try to solve on their own, they are quickly loosing their crops which is their sole income and food supply. One day a Chinese scientist comes to their small village and shows them a way they can use the bugs to create a natural solution to their problem. It is while working with the scientist that the young boy begins to dream of becoming a scientist and helping his village continue to improve on the solutions they have found.
This is a beautifully told story written in a way that you feel a part of the sorrow that the villagers are feeling. The illustrations on every page, beautifully rendered by Melanie Linden Chan, help the reader better understand what is happening in the story. She has even included stunning laser cut Chinese symbols and artwork on some of the pages to complement the story. Chan spent time researching the illustrations throughout the book to make sure they stayed true to the story and the message she was trying to portray.
One thing that really sold me on this book was the fact that the last few pages include an explanation of the Chinese symbols located throughout the book as well as the story behind the story. I found this story just as fascinating as reading the words throughout the book. I also appreciate that, if someone wants to do further study, a list of additional titles is included. I wholeheartedly give this book 5 stars and have added it to my list of books to purchase. Excellent book!
May 1, 2019
A fictional young resident of agricultural Southern China tells about the issues they have with pests eating their crops, the chemical response they tried and the issues with that, and then how a scientist named Pu Zhelong came and taught them a way to save their crops with fewer chemicals by using natural predators of the pests.
This is a biography of a real entomologist presented through the eyes of an fictional but realistic peasant boy. I'll let you figure out where you want to shelve this, biography or fiction picture book. It's a fascinating look at an alternative solution to pest control that is better for the people and the environment. (The former science teacher in me is wondering how they kept the wasp control from completely taking over...but the back of the book does mention something about also using ducks and some other critters as well, so maybe the ducks kept them in check.) Speaking of the back of the book, definitely check it out for more information on Pu Zhelong and also the Chinese that appears throughout the book in the illustrations. I also found it interesting to see how the people viewed Pu Zhelong just because he was from the city and dressed more sophisticated. It wasn't until he got his hands dirty that they trusted his methods and believed he might actually have something that would help them. I don't know of any other entomologist biographies out there except Maria Sibylla Merian's, so this is a great addition to any collection. It also presents a way that people who study insects can help people, not just stay in a lab all day. Highly recommended for curious readers, those looking for picture book biographies of people of color, bug lovers, and those studying ecosystems and the environment.
This is a biography of a real entomologist presented through the eyes of an fictional but realistic peasant boy. I'll let you figure out where you want to shelve this, biography or fiction picture book. It's a fascinating look at an alternative solution to pest control that is better for the people and the environment. (The former science teacher in me is wondering how they kept the wasp control from completely taking over...but the back of the book does mention something about also using ducks and some other critters as well, so maybe the ducks kept them in check.) Speaking of the back of the book, definitely check it out for more information on Pu Zhelong and also the Chinese that appears throughout the book in the illustrations. I also found it interesting to see how the people viewed Pu Zhelong just because he was from the city and dressed more sophisticated. It wasn't until he got his hands dirty that they trusted his methods and believed he might actually have something that would help them. I don't know of any other entomologist biographies out there except Maria Sibylla Merian's, so this is a great addition to any collection. It also presents a way that people who study insects can help people, not just stay in a lab all day. Highly recommended for curious readers, those looking for picture book biographies of people of color, bug lovers, and those studying ecosystems and the environment.
January 2, 2018
Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean: Remembering Chinese Scientist Pu Zhelong is a beautiful nonfiction picture book biography by Tilbury Publishing. Back in the 1960s, 1970s, China, like other countries, had an insect pest problem among its rice fields. So much so, that the narrator saw insects living inside the rice stalk. China’s answer was pesticides. But that didn’t work. The insect problem increased. A scientist named Pu Zhelong moved to southern China to help the villagers. But his unique idea wasn’t welcome. Through flashbacks, the narrator tells how he helped the scientist by coming up with a brilliant solution to help with the scientist’s idea. And together they saved the rice fields.
Schmalzer tells about a lesser-known Asian scientist which is needed for this generation. This book also has a wonderful environmental message. And this story is a good example to children to be proactive in their surroundings and to help with solutions.
Chan’s beautiful Chinese illustrations help tell the story and make the reader feel like we’re on the other side of the globe. The drawings of the insects and insect life cycles are gorgeous and scientifically correct. Children will be fascinated with the story and illustrations. A detailed back matter explains the story more fully. I reviewed an advanced copy.
Schmalzer tells about a lesser-known Asian scientist which is needed for this generation. This book also has a wonderful environmental message. And this story is a good example to children to be proactive in their surroundings and to help with solutions.
Chan’s beautiful Chinese illustrations help tell the story and make the reader feel like we’re on the other side of the globe. The drawings of the insects and insect life cycles are gorgeous and scientifically correct. Children will be fascinated with the story and illustrations. A detailed back matter explains the story more fully. I reviewed an advanced copy.
January 11, 2018
This is a gorgeously illustrated picture book telling the story of Pu Zhelong, a Chinese insect scientist educated in the US who returned to China to work on pest control in the agricultural fields. This story is told through the eyes of an unnamed (fictional) narrator who was a child when Pu arrived in his village to study the insect problem. The scientist helped the farmers reduce their pesticide use by using biological controls, including parasitic wasps that cut down on the populations of insect pests.
The illustrations are absolutely fabulous. They incorporate Chinese characters and use a Chinese-influenced style, and they're also beautifully informative, with detailed illustrations of insect life cycles. This unusual book provides interwoven information about Chinese history, agriculture, and insects, and includes excellent back matter. It's well worth reading, and would be an educational read for people of all ages. (I reviewed an advance copy.)
The illustrations are absolutely fabulous. They incorporate Chinese characters and use a Chinese-influenced style, and they're also beautifully informative, with detailed illustrations of insect life cycles. This unusual book provides interwoven information about Chinese history, agriculture, and insects, and includes excellent back matter. It's well worth reading, and would be an educational read for people of all ages. (I reviewed an advance copy.)
February 11, 2018
“The first time I saw a scientist in my village was also the first time I saw a wasp hatch from a moth’s egg. In that moment I could not have said which was the more unexpected- or the more miraculous.” With this sentence, author Sigrid Schmalzer begins our journey of the unexpected and miraculous story of Chinese scientist Pu Zhelong, who used insect science to introduce natural and sustainable pest control to Chinese farmers. Told gently through the eyes of a farm boy who is inspired by Zhelong, Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean is not only a tribute to a great scientist, but an easily understandable and enticing introduction to biology. The gorgeous illustrations by artist Melanie Linden Chan incorporate both traditional Chinese painting and paper cutting and are a perfect complement to the story. This book is a must for any STEM classroom and for any child curious about the natural world.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2018
While the topic may seem like it would be dry to young kids, this book about sustainable farming pratices being taught in China in the 60s informs and educates through an intriguing narrative. Told through the eyes of a young villager whose village's harvests are being threatened by pests, the story is about how a village's efforts to save their harvest by using pesticides became more of a problem than a solution. With each year of use, villagers got sick, insects became more resistent to the chemicals, and the harvest suffered. Then Chinese scientist Pu Zhelong arrived and taught the villagers how to use natural predators to combat their pest problem. The solution will be especially fascinating and amazing to kids who like bugs. But there is also much to love here from an educator's standpoint. A great addition to science classes studying insect lifecycles.
February 8, 2018
Narrated by a young farm boy, the telling is gentle, lyrical, and informative. The higher level details of what happens when the farmers use pesticides and the scientific process of “growing” predators to control the prey “pests” are presented in a child-friendly way. The diagrams are soft, clear, and inviting and allow young readers to thoroughly understand the process. Additionally, the cultural aspect of tradition meeting modern science is another interesting layer. Another very important point made is that the role of science is to serve the people. In the end, the narrator starts down the path of science and finds his own innovations, providing an excellent example for kids.
The beautifully detailed illustrations immerse the reader in the culture and make this a thoroughly accessible text with valuable science for today’s world.
The beautifully detailed illustrations immerse the reader in the culture and make this a thoroughly accessible text with valuable science for today’s world.
June 12, 2018
Cross-posted from Kiss the Book reviewer's personal Goodreads account
Schmalzer, Sigrid Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean illustrated by Melanie Linden Chan PICTURE BOOK Tilbury House, 2018. $18.
EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
In the small villages in China, some years there was a great harvest of rice - even enough to take to the city, but some years there was barely enough to feed the village. Then the farmers introduced pesticides - but they only make things worse, until a scientist named Pu Zhelong comes and teaches the farmers how to put nature back in balance.
What a great message, to let nature take its course (with a lot of help from people). So well told, and the illustrations are great! Includes a history behind the story and bibliography for further reading. This book would complement a lesson on entomology, the dangers of pesticides, or China.
Lisa Librarian
Schmalzer, Sigrid Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean illustrated by Melanie Linden Chan PICTURE BOOK Tilbury House, 2018. $18.
EL (K-3) - ESSENTIAL
In the small villages in China, some years there was a great harvest of rice - even enough to take to the city, but some years there was barely enough to feed the village. Then the farmers introduced pesticides - but they only make things worse, until a scientist named Pu Zhelong comes and teaches the farmers how to put nature back in balance.
What a great message, to let nature take its course (with a lot of help from people). So well told, and the illustrations are great! Includes a history behind the story and bibliography for further reading. This book would complement a lesson on entomology, the dangers of pesticides, or China.
Lisa Librarian
December 30, 2017
A story about farmers' struggle against pests in rural China, and the scientist who pioneered natural ways to combat them. Narrated through a village child, the story gives an overview of the ways moths and stinkbugs destroy crops, and the difficulties with using pesticides. Along comes the scientist Professor Pu Zhelong, who shows the farmers how to increase the wasp population - a natural predator of the moths and stinkbugs.
Told through flashbacks, the illustrator cleverly incorporated this textual element by showing the narrator painting the pictures which tell the story. It has a semi-collaged, semi-graphic novel feel. The paper cuts she developed are lovely and give another layer of visual interest and meaning (they are described in the backmatter).
Told through flashbacks, the illustrator cleverly incorporated this textual element by showing the narrator painting the pictures which tell the story. It has a semi-collaged, semi-graphic novel feel. The paper cuts she developed are lovely and give another layer of visual interest and meaning (they are described in the backmatter).
June 10, 2018
In the small villages in China, some years there was a great harvest of rice - even enough to take to the city, but some years there was barely enough to feed the village. Then the farmers introduced pesticides - but they only make things worse, until a scientist named Pu Zhelong comes and teaches the farmers how to put nature back in balance.
What a great message, to let nature take its course (with a lot of help from people). So well told, and the illustrations are great! Includes a history behind the story and bibliography for further reading. This book would complement a lesson on entomology, the dangers of pesticides, or China.
Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
What a great message, to let nature take its course (with a lot of help from people). So well told, and the illustrations are great! Includes a history behind the story and bibliography for further reading. This book would complement a lesson on entomology, the dangers of pesticides, or China.
Cross posted to http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
December 12, 2017
This is a beautiful book about farming and environmental agricultural science in China, featuring the Chinese Scientist Pu Zhelong. It is intended for elementary school students, though perhaps older preschoolers who can sit through longer stories and who love bugs and farming would enjoy it. (Middle school students might also be able to use this book with research projects.)
The illustrations by Melanie Chan are spectacular.
I would recommend it for children who like farming, gardens, bugs, science and the environment.
I received an ARC for review, but can't wait to buy this when it comes out.
The illustrations by Melanie Chan are spectacular.
I would recommend it for children who like farming, gardens, bugs, science and the environment.
I received an ARC for review, but can't wait to buy this when it comes out.
January 1, 2018
The illustrations in Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean are absolutely gorgeous, while also adding a layer of additive education to Schmalzer's informative, lyrical text. The environmental impact of pesticide use is an ongoing concern around the world, and it's helpful for children (and adults) to learn about the history and science behind the ongoing efforts to curb the negative impacts. Highly recommended!
February 11, 2018
Loved reading this; both as an interesting glimpse into another time and culture, and for the way it provides the science behind a more natural, yet modern way, to thinking about agriculture. Filled with beautiful pages (illustrated with paper cuts, paintings of paintings and photographs to reveal the tale) this story left quite an inspirational impression for kids wondering if they can really make a difference in the world.
October 23, 2018
The illustrations are all over the place: some of them are amateurish, some are a bit scientific, there's an illustrated map, there are illustrations of photos, and some Asian details/borders which include chinese writing(explanation in rear). The true story is fascinating and it would serve us well to do the same to solve a world wide problem.
Also includes three pages of the history behind the story .
Also includes three pages of the history behind the story .
January 8, 2018
Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean tells a story of a Chinese scientist who lived before us and his first studies of a still-current issue of crops and pesticides. This book is full of beautiful illustration details and interesting facts that a child could find fascinating as well as encouraged that they too could help solve issues like this one in their future. It enlightened me!
January 15, 2018
Fascinating story and beautiful illustrations that had me engaged from the first page to the last.
I learned so much about Pu Zhelong's work...more importantly, even though I had never heard of him, I was drawn in and felt connected. And so will the children who read this. I hope every school library gets a copy.
What a fabulous picture book!!!
I learned so much about Pu Zhelong's work...more importantly, even though I had never heard of him, I was drawn in and felt connected. And so will the children who read this. I hope every school library gets a copy.
What a fabulous picture book!!!
February 10, 2018
This is a must have biography for the elementary classroom. In addition to highlighting sustainable farming, it also emphasizes the need for cooperation between people who live in urban and rural areas. Lastly, Melanie Linden Chan's lush watercolors are gorgeous and will whisk your class away to another time and place. Put Moth and Wasp, Soil and Ocean on your must read list!
March 24, 2018
I was absolutely fascinated with this story from beginning to end. It was really neat to see the way that the scientist, Pu Zhelong, worked with farmers to use wasps to help control the insect population in China without the use of harmful chemicals. The book is beautifully illustrated from cover to cover, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
July 9, 2018
A picture book based on pest management. And intriguing book about experiences of Chinese scientists with the rural people of China. The first time they saw a wasp hatch out of a moth's egg, or spraying crops that made them sick. Lots of information packed into one little Concept book.
Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
2nd - 5th grade readers
April 24, 2018
Fascinating story about the scientist Pu Zhelong and his work to help Chinese farmers defeat pests harming their crops. Includes a nice description of a proof-of-concept experiment that is easy to follow. The illustrated paper cuttings are beautiful!
I reviewed an advanced copy of the book.
I reviewed an advanced copy of the book.
June 12, 2018
Super neat story about managing invasives and developing sustainable farming practices presented in a really appealing way, approachable for kids! Great book for STEM classrooms as well as international units on cultures outside of the US.
June 10, 2022
This picture book is about a scientist I had never heard of, who was crucial in researching and implementing ways to control pests on Chinese farms. Pu Zhelong worked side-by-side with Chinese farmers for decades promoting sustainable agriculture without the use of pesticides.
February 7, 2018
A biography of an interesting scientist, a lesson in sustainable farming, and a glimpse into Chinese culture, all wrapped up with engaging illustrations.
February 17, 2018
This was a subject I knew nothing about but found interesting. The illustrations were very appealing and you can tell the care the illustrator took to get the details correct.
March 1, 2018
Very well done biography; beautiful illustrations, story flows nicely and the subject is very relevant.
March 23, 2018
Beautiful illustrations, simple and understandable explanations, and an informative story.
April 23, 2018
An excellent choice to celebrate Earth Day! It is good to know that some people are working toward sustainable and workable solutions to problems that all of us face around the world.
July 28, 2018
Interesting book about an interesting scientist.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews