I’m thrilled to be taking part in this amazing tour, hosted by The Children’s Book Review. Check out my review below and don’t forget to enter the giveaway!
Else B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep
By Jeanne Walker Harvey
Illustrated by Melodie Stacey
Picture Book
32 Pages
Ages 5-7
Cameron Kids/Abrams Books
ISBN-13: 9781949480283
A poetic picture book biography about a daring and pioneering woman artist that combines themes of art and science. A perfect STEAM book!
Else Bostelmann donned a red swimsuit and a copper diving helmet and, with paints and brushes in hand, descended into the choppy turquoise sea off the coast of Bermuda. It was 1930, and few had ventured deep into the sea before. She discovered a fairyland six fathoms below the surface—fantastic coral castles, glittering sunbeams, swaying sea plumes, and slender purple sea fans. And fish! Flashy silverfish, puckering blue parrotfish, iridescent jellyfish. Else painted under the sea! She painted what she saw with her own eyes.
Back on land, Else painted the never-before-seen deep-sea creatures described by world-renowned scientist William Beebe on his momentous 1930s bathysphere expeditions for the New York Zoological Society’s Department of Tropical Research. It was a daring and glamorous adventure and a dream come true for Else B., who shared this new, unfathomable world with humankind.
My Review
First off, I love that this book was written about a true story – which just makes the fascination grow. Because of this one woman’s curiosity and daring we learn the differences between oceanic life and that above water. It couldn’t have been easy, but she did it. I think overcoming her fear might just help others do the same so that they can accomplish great things in life. The illustrations are beautiful watercolor images that really brought the book full circle. Great book!
Jeanne Walker Harvey is the author of many award-winning picture books, including Boats on the Bay, as well as the well-received picture book biographies Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas and Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines. She lives in Sonoma, California.
Website ~ Instagram ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest
Melodie Stacey is a fine artist and illustrator whose work can be found in the picture book Beautiful Useful Things. She lives in Brighton, United Kingdom.
Enter the giveaway for a chance to win a signed copy of Else B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep! Prizes include a class set of 30 books, swag like an Else Bostelman painting on a bookbag and notebook, stickers, and signed/customized bookplates.
Enter Giveaway Here
Huge thanks to Jeanne and The Children’s Book Review for my gifted copy. Grab one for yourself below!
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I’d also like to thank everyone for stopping by today, have a great weekend!
The Momma Spot 