Trudy’s Big Swim: How
Gertrude Ederle Swam the English Channel and Took the World by Storm
by Sue
Macy
illustrated by Matt Collins
Author
Macy is known for her well-researched and dynamic sports biographies,
especially of women. Once more she has chosen a determined achiever to feature,
in this dramatically illustrated picture book. Collins’s striking images
highlight the difficulties Gertrude Ederle faced, in her history-making swim.
His brilliant artwork was created with Prismacolor pencils, and completed with
Adobe Photoshop.
As
she dodged driftwood, jellyfish, and sharks, Trudy also had to navigate choppy
water and strong currents. Instead of the 21-mile crossing, Ederle swam 35 more
miles, because the current threw her off course. The Olympic swimmer was in the
water for more than 14 hours, on August 6, 1926.
The logistics of how she ate, kept
warm, and stayed focused will captivate young readers. Her endurance and
single-mindedness stand out, adding depth to the story of her swim across the
English Channel.
This is a vigorously illustrated and
skillfully written picture book biography, of a groundbreaking event in women’s
sports history. Clearly apparent in the end matter is the vital research noted
in an afterword, an author’s note, a sources and resources page, and source
notes.
Holiday House, $16.95
Interest Level: Grades
2-4
Caroline’s Comets: A
True Story
by Emily Arnold McCully
This
dramatic picture book biography shows the life of the first woman to discover a
comet. Caldecott Award-winning author and illustrator McCully has emphasized
comments from Caroline Hershel’s memoirs and correspondence to share her story.
Readers are, therefore, able to “meet” Caroline in her own words.
She
was born into a family of royal musicians. However, she was expected to be the
maid. Because Caroline became ill first with typhus and then with smallpox, her
parents thought she would never marry. But her favorite brother, William, took
her to England, launching her singing career. William was also very interested
in the stars. He wanted to build a better telescope than any other before.
Caroline,
then, became William’s assistant inventor, as well as housekeeper. Looking at
the night sky through the telescope they built, William would call out
observations, and “Caroline wrote them down.”
Together,
Caroline and William worked on a star catalogue. This work required that she
learn math from him. As a result she “discovered fourteen previously unknown
nebulae and star clusters, and two new galaxies.” She also became famous as the
first professional woman scientist. Later, she discovered eight comets!
Vivid ink and watercolor
illustrations support the text. Expressive paintings highlight important
details in the story. Broad double page spreads help to frame and expand
Caroline’s life and experience.
Written from a feminist viewpoint, this
tale of exciting scientific discovery is inspiring; in part because of the many
barriers Caroline overcame. Back matter includes a note from the author,
bibliography, glossary, and timeline.
Holiday House, $16.95
Interest Level: Grades
1-3
Anything But Ordinary
Addie: The True Story of Adelaide Herrmann, Queen of Magic
by Mara
Rockliff
illustrated by Iacopo Bruno
Especially
for girls who didn’t think there was a woman magician? Meet Addie – Adelaide
Herrmann! Determined to dazzle, secretly Addie joins a dance troupe, shocking
her family. Later, she learns to ride a bicycle, which while not especially
extraordinary now, was then. Her travels to perform lead her to meet, and later
marry, a magician known as Herrmann the Great (who’s real name is Alexander
Herrmann). When she begins working as his assistant, and then takes over after
he dies, life is never ordinary again.
Not
only does Rockliff’s story keep readers engaged, but also the fonts vary in
both size and style, maintaining the energy of the tale. Additionally, Bruno’s
pencil and digitally colored illustrations are brightly lit, on large
double-page spreads. He uses a cutout style that reminds one of old fashioned
paper dolls. Layers of art add gusto and spirit. While the dynamic interplay
between text and art drives the story, and strengthens its impact.
Redhead
Addie begs her husband not to do the dangerous bullet-catching trick. He
complies. But after his death, she wants to keep her magical shows shocking,
despite being led by a woman. She successfully catches the bullet, as the final
act of this out-of-the-ordinary picture book biography. Details at the end
provide biographical research information in an author’s note.
Candlewick Press,
$17.99
Interest Level: Grades
2-5
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