Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau

Jennifer Berne (2008), 32 pages

Illustrated by Eric Puybaret

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

From the onset, readers will be captivated not only by the author’s poetic words but by the illustrations which seem to seep off the page onto your hands and into your lap. Text sways and waves as though rippled in the water … “Bubbles rising through the silence of the sea, silvery beads of breath from a man deep, deep down in a strange and shimmering ocean land of swaying plants and fantastic creatures, a manfish swimming, diving into the unknown, exploring underwater worlds no one has ever seen and no one could ever have imagined.” So begins the amazing life story of Jacques Cousteau who was an inventor, diving pioneer, naval officer, moviemaker, author, photographer, and advocate for marine life and ecology.

This story begins when Jacques is a boy – he discovered a love of water at an early age as he swam and played at the ocean’s edge. By nature, he was very curious and inquisitive; he wondered about the world around him; “He wondered why ships floated. Why he floated. And why rocks sank.” Fascinated by the sea, boats, and with building things, along with an appetite for mechanics, he read blueprints, invented, experimented, and built models. As a child, Cousteau was also interested in film and how movies were made; buying a camera he filmed himself and his family constantly. As Cousteau interests grew so did his desire to explore, he dreamed to one day “swim through the sea as free as a fish … to become a manfish.”

Cousteau’s love of the ocean, innovative spirit, and ability to photograph and film oceanic creatures took him on many wonderful adventures. Berne’s book takes the readers on a tour of some of these highlights from his naval service to boating expeditions where he filmed and photographer rarely seen marine life. “They discovered plants that you could feed you. Plants that could poison you. Plants that looked like fish … and fish that looked like plants.” Important inventions are mentioned too, including the aqua-lung, a device, which allowed divers to breath underwater and dive deeper for longer periods of time.

As Cousteau further explored the ocean he shared his findings with the world, releasing many films, writing books, and documenting his discoveries. His research was groundbreaking. But, as the years passed, he began to notice that marine life suffering from pollution and chemicals; precious marine life was dying. Cousteau’s next objective was to protect the ocean and its inhabitants. He made more movies to warn people of the dangers of pollution and asked people to save the oceans in hopes that future generations could experience them in all their glory.

Using carefully chosen text and simple sentences, the author takes a complex biography such as Jacques Cousteau and underwater discovery and makes it both relatable and interesting for a young audience. Berne’s words are appropriate and descriptive without being over-done ... in effect, speaking directly to young listeners. Fellow Frenchman, Puybaret’s illustrations are truly beautiful and almost echo the ocean … some are dark and ominous while others are bright and lively.

Find time to share this book with your little one and teach them to love the ocean as much as Cousteau did! This book would work well for story-times that discuss French, science, or the ocean. For a story-time companion try singing a round of “Frère Jacques” or “Baby Beluga” depending on your theme.

Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
Sonnez les matines. Sonnez les matines.
Ding Dang Dong. Ding Dang Dong.

Or

Baby Beluga in the deep blue sea,
Swim so wild and you swim so free.
Heaven above, and the sea below,
And a little white whale on the go.

Baby beluga, baby Beluga, is the water warm?
Is your mama home with you, so happy.

Way down yonder where the dolphins play,
Where they dive and splash all day,
The waves roll in and the waves roll out,
See the water squirting out of your spout.

Baby beluga, baby Beluga, sing your little song,
Sing for all your friends, we like to hear you.

When it's dark, you're home and fed,
Curl up snug in your water bed.

Moon is shining and the stars are out,
Good night, little whale, goodnight.

Baby beluga, baby Beluga, with tomorrow's sun,
Another day's begun, you'll soon be waking.

Baby Beluga in the deep blue sea,
Swim so wild and you swim so free.
Heaven above and the sea below,
And a little white whale on the go.
You're just a little white whale on the go.

-by Raffi and Debi Pike

Reviewed by: Katharine Conn, MLIS

If you liked this book, you may like: Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea by Steve Jenkins, The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau by Dan Yaccarino, or Way Down Deep in the Deep Blue Sea by Jan Peck

Other books by this author: Calvin Can’t Fly: The Story of a Bookworm Birdie

Other books by this illustrator: Puff, the Magic Dragon, Over the Rainbow, Cache-Luna, When You Wish Upon a Star, The Nutcracker, and The Night Before Christmas

Sequoyah: The Cherokee Man Who Gave His People Writing

James Rumford (2004), 32 pages

Translated by Anna Sixkiller Huckaby

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

Rumford takes his readers on a walk through a forest of tall redwood trees. Gazing out at a Giant Sequoia, one might wonder about the name’s origin … the name “Sequoia” comes from a brave Cherokee man named Sequoyah “who was alive when the United States was new.” Looking up at these tall majestic trees, readers might speculate that Sequoyah was a strong warrior or leader, an imposing figure who fought valiantly. In reality though Sequoyah was a not a warrior or chief, he was a metalworker. Cherishing his people and the Cherokee traditions, he decided to preserve his culture by writing their stories, histories, and memories. Even though the Cherokee Nation did not read or write and he himself was illiterate Sequoyah decided to invent writing for his people. After several attempts Sequoyah’s ingenuity and determination paid off. He eventually fashioned a written language for the Cherokee Nation using symbols known as a syllabary (rather than writing each letter, the word is written in syllables). His people were able to use these symbols to write and read. Sequoyah even taught his six-year old daughter, Ayoka how to read. Later, the Cherokee Nation used these symbols to publish newspapers and books. This award-winning (Robert F. Silbert Honor) book tells the story of a courageous and brave man leading his people through words rather than war. A legacy which remains today. Anna Sixkiller Huckaby translates Rumford's text into Cherokee and provides a translation of the Cherokee syllabary; Rumford also includes a time-line of events as well more historical details between Sequoyah, the syllabary, and the discovery of Sequoia trees. A truly fascinating and inspirational read!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: How the Stars Fell into the Sky: A Navajo Legend by Jerrie Oughton, The Legend of the Bluebonnet by Tomie dePaola, The First Strawberries or How Chipmonk Got His Stripes by Joseph Bruchac

Other books by this author: Don’t Touch My Hat!, Rain School, Silent Music, Tiger and Turtle, and Chee-Lin: A Giraffe’s Journey

Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11

Brian Floca (2009), 48 pages

Audience: Pre-K

Format: picture book

“High above

there is the Moon,

cold and quiet,

no air, no life,

but glowing in the sky.”

Floca chronicles America’s historic launch of Apollo 11. Coupling simple prose with striking, bold images filled with astounding detail (see Figure 1). The author expertly describes and illustrates the space mission of Armstrong, Collins, and Aldrin as they orbit into space and land on the moon. As part of the book’s forward, Brian Floca provides an extensive list of research resources including bibliographic material, such as Chaikin’s A Man on the Moon, NASA diagrams and photographs, visits to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. and the Johnson Space Center in Houston to view actual “mission tools, suits, machinery.” Floca’s research is evident in his detail-rich, historically accurate watercolors; yet, somehow, this artist manages to simultaneously meld history with ingenuity creating truly remarkable illustrations that capture the excitement of discovery. For instance, the thrust of the rocket is palpable, with bold colors and an intense double-page frame, the rocket shoots off the page. His bold text choice further emphasizes the rocket’s energy (see Figure 2).

Figure 1: Mission Control











Figure 2:
Lift Off


Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: One Giant Leap by Robert Burleigh or If You Decide to Go to the Moon by Faith McNulty

Other books by this author: Five Trucks, The Racecar Alphabet, and Lightship (Robert F. Sibert Honor Book)

On Earth

G. Brian Karas (2005), 32 pages

Audience: pre-K

Format: picture book

“On earth we go on a giant ride in space, spinning like a merry-go-round …” Although concepts such as earth rotation, gravity, and planet orbits may seem too advanced and complex for this age group … Karas teaches these concepts eloquently and effectively by combining simple, yet poetic text with large format kid-like illustrations (which alternate between a child’s personal perspective and a global one). In addition, Karas uses familiar concepts such as birthdays and seasonal changes making these concepts relatable and easier for children to understand and grasp. This book is an excellent introduction to Earth science. Also, included in back of the book is a glossary defining terms such as sphere, equator, orbit, axis, etc. Parents can use this book as precursor for other topics, such as planets, stars, moon, geography, even recycling. Include this book in your next storytime and foster a child’s love of science at an early age!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: The Earth Book by Todd Parr, What Makes Day and Night by Franklyn M. Branley, I Love our Earth by Bill Martin Jr., Michael Sampson, Dan Lipow, or Our Big Home: An Earth Poem by Linda Glaser

Other books by this author: Atlantic, Bebe’s Bad Dream, Skidamarink: A Silly Love Song to Sing, The Windy Day, and Young Zeus

Life in the Boreal Forest

Brenda Z. Guiberson (2009), 40 pages

Illustrated by Gennady Spirin

Audience: Pre-K

Format: picture book

Life in the Boreal Forest by Brenda Guiberson, illustrated by Gennady Spirin is an exceptional piece of nonfiction. The narrative is clear and accurate; the author not only identifies the environmental region “a forest so huge it covers one third of the earth’s total forest area. It grows across Alaska, Canada, Scandinavia, and Russia” but she explains the origins of names and terms in a lyrical voice… “a swath of trees this big has many names, like taiga and boreal forest. Boreal means northern, from Boreas, the Greek God of the North Wind.”

Animals, like the snowshoe hare and lynx come to life in Spirin’s expansive forest landscape paintings. The book provides additional websites of information; organizations and agencies that are dedicated to forest preservation and acknowledges several experts who helped in the manuscript (including a boreal ecologist, wildlife biologist, and two research scientists).

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: Redwoods by Jason Chin or Rain Forest by Helen Cowcher

Other books by this author: The Emperor Lays an Egg, Into the Sea, and Ice Bears