Else B. In The Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep by Jeanne Walker Harvey

Today I have a wonderful children's book to share with you in partnership with The Children’s Book Review. Disclosure: I received a copy of this book to share my honest opinion.

About the Book:

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.

Review:

Ideal for ages 5-7, this book is based on a real life explorer Else Bostelmann. She was a pioneer in bringing the beautiful images found in the sea to live for those on land. The author includes a wonderful note at the end of the book about Else that I highly recommend reading.

The illustrator did an amazing job with this book. The illustrations are perfect with showing the story in a real way. This book would be perfect for all children to show them they can do anything, even if it had not been done before. The words in the story are a bit advanced so this is a perfect opportunity to expand your little ones vocabulary. This book also tells what life was like for a woman in the early 1900's when they were expected to take care of the children rather than have a job outside the home. Else never gives up on her dream and I love that. Your adventurous little one will love this book!

Giveaway:

Else B. in the Sea: Book Giveaway

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.

Keep in touch on social media:

 https://www.jeanneharvey.com

https://www.instagram.com/jeannewharvey/

https://twitter.com/JeanneWHarvey

https://www.pinterest.com/JeanneWalkerHarvey/

 

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.