Mermaid Queen: The Spectacular True Story of Annette Kellerman, Who Swam Her Way to Fame, Fortune & Swimsuit History!
by Shana Corey
Published 2009 by Scholastic Press
Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780439698351
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Jacket Notes:
As a child growing up in Australia, Annette Kellerman confronted a crippling illness and grew up to become a world-renowned athlete who revolutionized the sport of swimming for women, a movie star who invented water ballet, and a fashion revolutionary who modernized the swimsuit. Full color.
Publishers Weekly 01/26/2009
Admirers of Corey ("You Forgot Your Skirt, Amelia Bloomer!") and of Fotheringham ("What to Do About Alice?") will be eager for this picture book biography of another early feminist, the swimmer Annette Kellerman (18861975). As a child in Australia, Kellerman had to wear leg braces for some unspecified illness; to strengthen her body, she swamand grew up to become an endurance swimmer, to invent water ballet and introduce the modern bathing suit to horrified Americans and Europeans (swimming before an audience that included British royalty, Kellerman was made to cover up her bare legs). As in her previous books, Corey includes the details that both humanize Kellerman and make her a legend; for example, trying to cross the English Channel, the swimmer slurps soup or hot chocolate through a long-snouted cup and eats sandwiches proffered on the end of a long stick. The art is equally powerful: punchy graphics suggest a woman in perpetual motion, with bubble, dot and curve motifs to underscore the aquatic theme. The illustrations are almost too powerful: the high-contrast colors can be dizzying, and the art at times vies with the text for readers attention. Ages 4up. "(Apr.)" Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
03/01/2009 School Library Journal
Gr 25Kellerman's name might not be familiar, but this rule-breaking, high-diving, early fashionista will inspire students. Her difficulties walking as a child, which are only hinted at in the book's illustrations, drove her father to try to strengthen her legs through swimming lessons. In the early 1900s, before women were allowed to compete in the Olympics, her hard-earned athleticism drew more criticism than compliments. Swimming? Unladylike! Record setting? For the boys! Eager to do something more artistic with her abilities, Annette invented water ballet, and her acrobatic feats drew crowds. Each event described is interesting, but what really shines is Kellerman's persistent refusal to rest on her laurels. After her attempt to be the first woman to swim the English Channel, and performing for kings and queens, she went on to pioneer the modern woman's bathing suit, which led to her arrest in the U.S. Fotheringham's glorious artwork is filled with period details and dress, high-dives and stunts, and priceless expressions on the faces of amazed audiences. The extensive back matter details Kellerman's further accomplishments and includes citations. This well-written and brightly illustrated account is a perfect pearl."Sarah Provence, Churchill Road Elementary School, McLean, VA" Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
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Minn and Jake's Almost Terrible Summer
by Janet S Wong
Published 2008 by Farrar Straus Giroux
Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780374349776
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Jacket Notes:
Bouncing free verse and playful black-and-white illustrations combine to make this a charming follow-up to "Minn and Jake."
"There are a few things / about your best friend
that you can only learn / when you see where he's from. Minn knew / that Jake was from the city.
But she didn't know / that his grandmother was Korean.
That he liked taking bubble baths. / That his brother, Soup,
might be an eating champion. / That Jake was a cheater,
and that he had a . . . / girlfriend?! There are some things / about your best friend
that it's better "not "/ to know. "Bouncing free verse and playful black-and-white illustrations combine to make this a charming follow-up to "Minn and Jake," 
08/01/2008 School Library Journal
Gr 35Minn and Jake are back in this new free-verse installment. This time the 10-year-old pals are spending the summer apart. Jake is visiting his old neighborhood in Los Angeles and is excited to have no plans. No science camp. No swimming lessons. But he soon discovers that it isn't much fun to wake up every day at 6 a.m. to his little brother, Soup, jumping all over him or have his Korean grandmother stuffing him with food to "make him grow." Jake misses Minn, but he hasn't done a great job of keeping in touch this summer. But when she and her parents make a surprise visit, things start to heat up. On a trip to Disneyland, the friends have a fight and end up not speaking. All is resolved when they both acknowledge their mistakes. Whimsical ink sketches enhance the storytelling in this creative early chapter book that features smart, endearing characters and humorous antics."Bethany A. Lafferty, Las Vegas-Clark County Library, NV" Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.
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Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring the Earth to Life
by Molly Bang
Published 2009 by Blue Sky Press (AZ)
Hardcover, English. ISBN: 9780545044226
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Jacket Notes:
Living Sunlight shows children, teachers, and parents the remarkable magic of what makes us human.This informative yet dramatic book will mesmerize readers and help further a child's understanding of the energy we share with all living things in nature. We are all dancing sunlight. A perfect addition to any library!
02/01/2009 School Library Journal
Gr 14In this sequel to "My Light" (Scholastic, 2004), the focus is photosynthesis and its connection to all living things. The sun continues to be the "star" of the show, narrating the lyrical text. The verse is a mix of fun and fact, explaining that "My light becomes the energy/for all life on Earth." Although the text goes on to connect the sun's energy to plants and then to animals and people, the explanations are quite a leap for the intended audience. Beautiful illustrations light up the pages and swirl across the spreads. Bright yellow outlines large green leaves, landscapes, and animals, radiating against the dark electric blue sky. Magnified close-ups of plant cells offer visual explanations of the process. However, they are more decorative than informative. Fans of the earlier work will find this book equally satisfying. Overall, a worthy general purchase."Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH" Copyright 2009 Reed Business Information.
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