Author Cheryl Bardoe and illustrator Jos. A. Smith’s picture book Gregor Mendel: The Friar Who Grew Peas tells the true story about the father of genetics and his pea plants!

An Orbis Pictus Honor Book
An ALA-ALSC Notable Book
An IRA Notable Book
AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books Finalist

How do mothers and fathers—whether they are apple trees, sheep, or humans—pass down traits to their children? This question fascinated Gregor Mendel throughout his life. Regarded as the world’s first geneticist, Mendel overcame poverty and obscurity to discover one of the fundamental aspects of genetic science: animals, plants, and people all inherit and pass down traits through the same process, following the same rules.

Living the slow-paced, contemplative life of a friar, Gregor Mendel was able to conceive and put into practice his great experiment: growing multiple generations of peas. From observing yellow peas, green peas, smooth peas, and wrinkled peas, Mendel crafted his theory of heredity—years before scientists had any notion of genes.

Children will be inspired by Gregor’s never-ending search for knowledge, and his famous experiments are easy to understand as an introduction to genetics.

Includes an author’s note and bibliography