Title: Else B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep | Author: Jeanne Walker Harvey | Illustrator: Melodie Stacey | Genre: Picture Book | Publisher: Cameron Kids/ Abrams Books | Release Date: June 4, 2024 | ISBN: 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: Jeanne Walker Harvey’s fascinating biography about Else Bostelmann tells of the challenges faced by one brave woman who wanted to illustrate underwater creatures. Before the inventions of underwater photography or video technologies, this pioneering woman found clever ways to paint underwater and capture the unique color palette of the creatures that live in the sea.

Evocative illustrations accompany this unique biography from Else’s facial expressions to scientific equipment and various aquatic life. Melodie Stacey’s detailed artwork highlights key and subtle points throughout the story with gorgeous illustrations using watercolours, gouache and other mediums.

At a time when women were seldom part of the scientific community, Else Bostelmann made an impressive impact on the field of oceanography and brought images of previously unknown sea life to the world. Her accomplishments are a testament to her perseverance. Else B. in the Sea offers an important message to children about never giving up and the impact one person can have when they believe in themselves.

For a sneak peek of what’s inside Else B. in the Sea, watch the book trailer on YouTube.

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

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.

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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.

Click here for the entry form: https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/else-b-in-the-sea-the-woman-who-painted-the-wonders-of-the-deep-awareness-tour/. Good luck!

ELSE B. IN THE SEA Virtual Book Tour Dates

A sincere thank you to the author and publisher for a copy of this book. I reviewed this book in partnership with The Children’s Book Review. The opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view.