Written by Jeanne Walker Harvey
Illustrated by Melodie Stacey
We LOVE picture-book biographies in our school library. They make for such engaging read-alouds, and students love knowing that it's a TRUE story.
Else B. in the Sea was such a gem to read! Following this amazingly brave & creative woman, her journey in art & science, and seeing her stunning discoveries come to life through her paintings was so inspiring.
The perfect book to read to your children or students, especially those who love true stories, science, art, and ocean creatures. It definitely inspired me to learn more about Else Bostelmann, who I hadn't heard about before reading this book. Her art is stunning, and her story is so intriguing!
Synopsis:
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.
Thank you to Jeanne Walker Harvey and The Kids Book Review for the opportunity to read this book.
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.
