If Sharks Disappeared by Lily Williams

If Sharks Disappeared

Written and illustrated by Lily Williams

Roaring Brook Press> 2017

ISBN: 9781626724136

All ages

I borrowed a copy of this book from my local public library to write this review.

Note: Louise is responsible for all the reviews during 2017 while Cathy is on Sabbatical. She returns February 2018.

The first sentence in Lily Williams informational picture book asks readers this question: What is a healthy ocean? If you answered, “Its a balanced environment where many different animals and plants thrive.” You would be correct.  We know that a healthy ecosystem – here the ocean- is home to a wide variety of plants and animals. They thrive as long as everything is kept balanced.  Sharks are apex predators; they are at the top of the food chain.  “Losing an apex predator species can cause devastating effects in an environment.”

Can you imagine what would happen if sharks disappeared?  Each turn of the page explains in text and pictures just how quickly a once healthy ocean can become out of balance. With no sharks, the population of seals, sea lions, and other pinnipeds would potentially explode. At higher populations, they would eat more and more fish, and eventually, once there weren’t any fish left…´

You get the picture.

Though her first book, Williams knows her audience. Her illustrations are appealing, colorful cartoon-like that perfectly mirror her text. Instead of writing with a doomsday tone, she keeps the conversation realistic, yet, hopeful. For in the end, it really is up to each of us to make a difference.  

This is a perfect resource when discussing the impact humans have on the world.  If you still have a copy of Nicola Davies book, Surprising Sharks, pair the two titles for an engaging, enlightening read aloud.

Go here to see a short book trailer.

Back matter: glossary, an explanation to why sharks are in trouble, ways you can help save sharks, bibliography, author’s note, and additional sources. A fine example of nonfiction for kids.

I love what Williams writes as her dedication. “To Mom, for teaching me that your art can make a difference.”

Caroline’s Comets: a True Story Written and illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully

Caroline’s Comets: a True Story

Written and illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully

Holiday House. 2017

ISBN: 9780823436644

Grades 2-5

To write this review, I borrowed this book from my local public library.

Note: Louise is happily writing reviews while Cathy is on Sabbatical. She returns February 2018.

Discovering one comet is pretty exciting, but to find seven more is totally remarkable. McCully’s informational picture book biography tells the story of Caroline Herschel, the first woman to discover a comet and the first woman to be paid for scientific research,

Born in 1786 in Hanover, Germany, Caroline was the only girl in a family where her father and brother were royal musicians. With a mother who felt Caroline’s role was the family housekeeper, once she was taught to knit, she said,  “From that day forward, I was fully employed in providing my brothers with stockings.”

Things became more dismal for Caroline when, at age ten, she caught typhus and then smallpox. “The first stunted her growth, and the second scarred her face. Her father worried that no man would marry her. How would she live without a husband to support her?”

Though her housekeeping skills were always in demand, Caroline eventually became an assistant inventor when William, one of her brothers, decided to build a telescope, better than any that already existed. By 1787, Caroline would be paid for her services by King George III. In her author’s note, McCully says of the Herschels: They were true collaborators.”

Back matter includes bibliography, glossary, and a timeline of Caroline’s life and influence. Caroline Herschel died January 9, 1848. 

A solid addition for collections about women and science.

Trudy’s Big Swim: How Gertrude Ederle Swam the English Channel and Took the World by Storm By Sue Macy

Trudy’s Big Swim: How Gertrude Ederle Swam the English Channel and Took the World by Storm

By Sue Macy; Illustrated by Matt Collins

Holiday House. 2017

ISBN: 9780823436651

Grades 2-5

To write this review, I borrowed this book from my local public library.

Note: Louise is soldiering on while Cathy is on Sabbatical. She will return February, 2018.

On a beach in France, at 7:09 on the morning of August, 1926, twenty-year-old Gertrude Ederle waded into the surf. Her goal? To be the first woman to swim the English Channel.  Already an accomplished swimmer, a New York Times headline called Trudy, “the greatest free style swimmer of her sex ever developed.”  With a distance of 21 miles, it would take the long-distance swimmer 14 hours; 39 minutes to set a world’s record. “Not only was Gertrude the first woman to complete the swim; she also beat the record of the fastest man by close to two hours.”

A shy person who became overwhelmed by her sudden fame, Ederle also suffered from hearing loss from a bout with measles as a child. She became totally deaf by age 22. Ederle died on November 30, 2003 at age 98.

Macy’s informational picture book recounts the challenges Ederle faced during the swim. The writing perfectly matches the luscious, full-page, color illustrations by Matt Collins. Rendered in Prismacolor pencils, Denril Vellum, Painter 12 and Adobe Photoshop, will definitely keep young readers riveted to the page.  

Back matter: sources and resources + source notes.

A very exciting reading experience for eyes and ears. Perfect to share in the classroom or snuggled up on a couch.

Interesting to note. Macy states in her author’s note that many books will say Trudy was born in 1906, that she was only 19 when she was English Channel.”  Actually, checking Ederle’s gravestone, Macy confirms Trudy's birth day was really October 23, 1905.  That means she was 20 when she set the world's record in 1926.