🦈 Shark Lady by Jess Keating & Marta Álvarez Miguéns | Kid’s Book Read Aloud

This is the story of a woman who dared to dive, defy, discover, and inspire. This is the story of Shark Lady. One of the best science picture books for children, Shark Lady is a must for both teachers and parents alike! Named a Best Children’s Book of 2017 by Parents magazine Eugenie Clark fell in love with sharks from the first moment she saw them at the aquarium. She couldn’t imagine anything more exciting than studying these graceful creatures. But Eugenie quickly discovered that many people believed sharks to be ugly and scary—and they didn’t think women should be scientists. Determined to prove them wrong, Eugenie devoted her life to learning about sharks. After earning several college degrees and making countless discoveries, Eugenie wrote herself into the history of science, earning the nickname “Shark Lady.“ Through her accomplishments, she taught the world that sharks were to be admired rather than feared and that women can do anything they set their minds to. An inspiring story by critically acclaimed zoologist Jess Keating about finding the strength to discover truths that others aren’t daring enough to see. Includes a timeline of Eugenie’s life and many fin-tastic shark facts! The perfect choice for parents looking for: Books about sharks Inspiring nonfiction narrative books Role model books for girls and boys Kids STEM books From School Library Journal Gr 1–4—Eugenie Clark (1922–2015) dedicated her life to studying zoology. A professor and a writer who was fascinated with sharks, she emphasized that these animals were not mindless killers. As a result of her tireless work, much of the world realized that sharks needed to be better appreciated and protected. The book is filled with bright blues and greens. The illustrations, done in Adobe Photoshop, portray Clark first as an inquisitive child and later as a tenacious scientist and a deep-sea diver. The aquatic creatures, drawn with big doe eyes, are depicted as friendly, happy creatures. Back matter includes additional information in a section titled “Shark Bites.“ VERDICT A fine way to introduce young children to science.—Patricia Ann Owens, formerly at Illinois Eastern Community College, Mount Carmel Review “This biography rose to the top because it tells Clark’s story―from her childhood fascination with sharks to becoming a scientist who was able to train them―without overwhelming kids with text. “After I read this book with my 6-year-old daughter, she told me that she wanted to be a scientist,“ beamed one dad. “ ― Parents “The writing flows well, keeping a clear focus on Clark and her dream, while including pertinent details from the career of “the Shark Lady,“ known for her groundbreaking research and her work to change people’s perceptions of sharks… A lively introduction to an American scientist.“ ― Booklist “A tribute to the courage and indomitable will of the renowned ichthyologist. This eloquent profile follows Clark from a childhood visit to an aquarium through her demonstration that sharks can actually be trained and so are not “mindless killers“ as widely supposed“ ― Kirkus Reviews “The aquatic creatures, drawn with big doe eyes, are depicted as friendly, happy creatures. Back matter includes additional information in a section titled “Shark Bites.“ A fine way to introduce young children to science“ ― School Library Journal “Keating (Pink Is for Blobfish) offers a lively portrait of scientist Eugenie Clark, who pursued a passion for sharks… Through Clark’s story, Keating suggests that, with perseverance, a childhood fascination can evolve into a life’s work.“ ― Publishers Weekly “This is an inspirational story of a woman who challenged perceptions at a time when few women were encouraged to enter the profession… a great selection for women’s history month or for units on ocean life.“ ― School Library Connection About the Author Jess Keating is an award-winning author, cartoonist, and zoologist, whose work has been featured in the New York Times, CBC, Buzzfeed, Parents Magazine, and more. She is the creator of over a dozen fiction and nonfiction books, including Eat Your Rocks, Croc!, Shark Lady, Pink is for Blobfish, the Elements of Genius middle grade series, and the graphic novel series, Bunbun & Bonbon. Sign up for weekly tips and tricks on mindful creative living at Find her on Twitter @Jess_Keating and on Instagram @JessKeatingBooks! About the Illustrator Marta Alvarez Miguéns is a freelance illustrator based in La Coruña, Spain. She illustrated A Tiger called Tomás, Dinosaur Lady and Shark Lady wich was named a Best STEM Book by the Children’s Book Council and the National Science Teachers Association. Her artwork is characterized by bright colors and imaginative scenes. You can find more of her work on her website
Back to Top