Illustrated by Mike Dutton (Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books for Young Readers, June 22, 2021)
Jonas Salk is a quiet boy who dreams of relieving the world’s suffering. He grows up to be a scientist who enlists millions of schoolchildren to help him test a vaccine that will conquer the terrible disease called polio. When he makes a breakthrough, the whole world celebrates by saying “Thank you, Dr. Salk!”
Chicago Public Library Best Books of 2021
Best STEM Books of 2021, National Science Teaching Association
Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
New York Daily News op-ed article
Wisconsin Public Radio feature
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel interview
Wisconsin State Journal interview
St. Louis Post-Dispatch interview
St. Louis Jewish Light interview
PURCHASE
REVIEWS
An engaging blend of history, biography, science, and epidemiology that is sure to inspire and inform. This is a great choice for allaying vaccination fears, communicating the importance of science and medicine, showing that heroes come in many forms, and explaining that education, creativity, resilience, and dedication can lead to achievements and concrete results.
— Kirkus Reviews
While classmates doodled and daydreamed, young Jonas Salk took notes, preparing for the day when he would become a scientist and follow the Judaic religious precept tikkun olam, to heal the world. He directed his efforts toward vaccinations, and from 1947 through the mid 1950s his research in polio prevention progressed from discovering a promising vaccine, to conducting limited trials on primary-grade children, to securing scientific consensus on the efficacy of the vaccine, which steadily eliminated the dreaded paralytic disease from most of the world. Robbins’ biography is particularly timely within the context of the coronavirus epidemic, and his direct, streamlined account connects well with early primary listeners, who may take some comfort in knowing that science has managed to get other epidemics under control. Dutton’s artwork offers a stylish take on mid-twentieth century anxiety, and an author’s note adds nuance on such issues as concurrent scientific efforts to conquering polio and Salk’s decision not to patent his discovery.
— The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
A welcome, timely picture-book biography of a Jewish figure beyond the usual suspects. The Jewish content in this warm, accessible account of Salk’s life and work is pivotal and positive: several mentions in both the main text and the back matter that his motivation for creating the polio vaccine came from the Jewish value of tikkun olam, which the book calls the quiet, unathletic Salk’s own “way to be brave.” Illustrations in muted colors invite perusal, with details like newspaper headlines, thank-you notes, and, near the end, a book about AIDS in Salk’s hand.
— Association of Jewish Libraries
An informative and inspiring picture book.
— Booklist
‘Thank You, Dr. Salk’ is as timely as a book can be and will offer an easy entree to discussions of epidemics, scientific research, vaccines, and working together as a community. This is a true story that will help kids think deeply about the past, make connections to the present, and inspire hope for the future. The bright and engaging illustrations enhance the text and reinforce how important Dr. Salk and polio research was to the community.
— Association of Jewish Libraries
This biography of pioneering scientist Jonas Salk reinforces several important messages, one of which is that vaccines save lives. Intellectually gifted and determined individuals like Dr. Salk can make the world a safer place through developing technologies targeted at solving seemingly intractable problems. Dean Robbins and Mike Dutton also emphasize the ethical values that underlie scientific progress. A highly recommended biography.
— Jewish Book Council