This post is sponsored by Jeanne Walker Harvey and hosted by The Children's Book Review. Learn more about the book, the author, illustrator and my thoughts. Also, don't forget to enter the giveaway!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Else B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep
Written by Jeanne Walker Harvey
Illustrated by Melodie Stacey
Ages 5-7 | 32 Pages
Publisher: Cameron Kids/Abrams Books | ISBN-13: 9781949480283
Publisher’s Book Summary: 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 THOUGHTS
Else B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep is an amazing picture book biography. This biography charts how Else B., a classically trained artist, embarks on a courageous journey from America to Bermuda to attempt to make her dream come true.
She was probably prompted by the findings of William Beebe, an oceanographer who created a bathysphere in order to descend into the depths of the sea to observe the wonders of sea and plant life.
With just a diving helmet, an air hose, a bathing suit, and art supplies, Else B. descended six 6-foot-tall persons (6 fathoms) into the sea to encounter all the beautiful colors.
What I Liked
- The entire book was painted as an homage to Else B.
- Else B.'s artistic eye and attention to details
- Her courage, persistence, and problem-solving
- This is 1930 when women's opinions were not counted as much, but their dreams and desires were more important.
- The information the book provides is a lot, but not overwhelmingly so. The parent will learn something as well as the child.
What Gave Me Pause
Key Takeaways
- Achieving our dreams may take courage, stepping outside the norm, and a few failures. That is just an incentive to persevere. There's a scripture that says that perseverance in the face of difficulties strengthens our faith. Believe in your dream and go after it.
My Recommendation
- This is the perfect science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) book for PreK- 3 classrooms.
Disclosure
- I received a complimentary copy of Else B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep. This review was written voluntarily.
PURCHASE LINKS
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Bookshop.org
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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.
For more information, visit https://www.jeanneharvey.com
ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR
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.
TOUR SCHEDULE
Thursday, April 18, 2024 The Children’s Book Review Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Friday, April 19, 2024 The Fairview Review Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Monday, April 22, 2024 Book Q&As with Deborah Kalb Author Interview with Jeanne Walker Harvey |
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 One More Exclamation Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Wednesday, April 24, 2024 Mama’s Sweet Baby Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Thursday, April 25, 2024 The Momma Spot Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Friday, April 26, 2024 Glass of Wine, Glass of Milk Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Monday, April 29, 2024 Cover Lover Book Review Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Tuesday, April 30, 2024 Crafty Moms Share Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Wednesday, May 1, 2024 Book Zone Reviews Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Thursday, May 2, 2024 Mrs Makes Reading Fun Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Friday, May 3, 2024 Life is What it’s called Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Monday, May 6, 2024 Country Mamas With Kids Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Tuesday, May 7, 2024 icefairy’s Treasure Chest Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Wednesday, May 8, 2024 Froggy Read Teach Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Thursday, May 9, 2024 A Blue Box Full Of Books Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Friday, May 10, 2024 Writer with Wanderlust Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Monday, May 13, 2024 Deliciously Savvy Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Tuesday, May 14, 2024 Stargirls Magical Tale Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Wednesday, May 15, 2024 My Reading Getaway Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Thursday, May 16, 2024 Joanna’s Bookshelf Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Friday, May 17, 2024 Me Two Books Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Monday, May 20, 2024 Get Outside and Read Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 @thechildrensbookreview Instagram Reel of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Dee |
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 Pages for Paige Book Review of Else. B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep |
Thursday, May 23, 2024 Simply 7 Interview Author Interview with Jeanne Walker Harvey |
GIVEAWAY
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.
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