She Sells Seashells

Once forced to the sidelines of science, Mary Anning is now recognized as the world's first paleontologist. A rousing, empowering nonfiction biography for STEM-minded kids.

At first, Mary Anning collected shells and other curiosities to sell in her family’s shop. Then she began discovering fossils that were monumental to changing the course of how we understand life on Earth. But educated male scientists at the time—men who bought and studied Mary’s fossils—did not recognize her skills, nor did they include her in their discussions as the field of paleontology emerged.

Self-taught and passionate, Mary was too busy making new discoveries to worry about those rich educated men. Today she is recognized as the first paleontologist. Back matter expands on Mary's remarkable life, including where she lived, relationships, and the tricky dynamic of being a woman of her time.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs