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Children's Nonfiction Women

The Girl Who Built an Ocean

An Artist, an Argonaut, and the True Story of the World's First Aquarium

by (author) Jess Keating

illustrated by Michelle Mee Nutter

Publisher
Random House Publishing Group
Initial publish date
Oct 2022
Category
Women, Discoveries, Science & Technology
Recommended Age
4 to 8
Recommended Grade
p to 3
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780593305119
    Publish Date
    Oct 2022
    List Price
    $24.99
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780593305126
    Publish Date
    Oct 2022
    List Price
    $28.99

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Description

The inspiring tale of a seamstress-turned-scientist who invented the world's first aquarium at a time when women in STEM were startlingly rare.

The daughter of a seamstress and a cobbler, Jeanne Villepreux-Power began her career as a dressmaker, sewing beautiful gowns for the Parisian aristocracy. But her heart longed for more, and when she moved to the seaside, she became fascinated by the ocean's mysteries.

She filled her pockets with seashells and specimens, and filled her notebooks with oservations about coral and crustaceans and all manner of marine life. The argonaut interested her most of all, but Jeanne's observations of this shy creature were confounded by its tendency to swim away when approached. Jeanne wanted a way to bring a piece of the ocean home with her, and that's she came to build the world's first aquarium—an invention that would pave the way for countless scientific discoveries in the years to come...

Jess Keating (Shark Lady) and Michelle Mee Nutter (Allergic) bring Jeanne's story vividly to life with lively text and vibrant artwork that captures the curiosity and perseverance this pioneering woman in science brought to everything she did.

About the authors

JESS KEATING est une auteure, bédéiste et zoologiste. Jess vit en Ontario.

 

As a zoologist and author, Jess Keating has been sprayed by skunks, bitten by crocodiles, and victim of the dreaded paper cut. Her books blend science, humor, and creativity, and include the acclaimed My Life Is a Zoo middle-grade trilogy and award-winning picture books, like Shark Lady and Pink Is for Blobfish. Jess lives in Ontario, Canada, where she loves hiking, nerdy documentaries, and writing books for curious and adventurous kids. Jess can be found online at www.jesskeatingbooks.com or on Twitter at @Jess_Keating.

Jess Keating's profile page

Michelle Mee Nutter's profile page

Editorial Reviews

"Excellent nonfiction in an interesting and beautiful book that gives readers many points of interest for entry, with detailed pictures to pore over." —School Library Journal

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