REVIEWS
OCEAN SPEAKS – HOW MARIE THARP REVEALED THE OCEAN’S BIGGEST SECRET Jess Keating, illustrated by Katie Hickey Tundra Books, 2020 34 pages, $21.99 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Reviewed by Launa Lopez
The mysteries of the ocean and earth have beckoned Marie Tharp since she was a little girl, but she is growing up in a time when women are not encouraged to dream of be- coming scientists. When World War II takes the men away, Marie is serendipitously al- lowed to dive into a world of scientific study. Soon she is working with researchers to create a map of the ocean floor. Although not al- lowed on the research trips because “women were considered bad luck on ships,” Marie experiences the ocean intimately with each point she carefully plots on her map. Her diligence leads to the discovery of a deep rift valley between mountainous peaks on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. At first, her col- leagues don’t agree with her findings. Jacques Cousteau even sets out to prove her wrong by filming the ocean floor. But Marie’s map is right, and her work inspires other scientists to discover additional secrets of the ocean floor. Ocean Speaks is beautifully written and ma-
jestically illustrated. Jess Keating chooses the words on each page so intentionally readers can almost sense the undulating rhythm of the waves as they navigate the story. Katie Hickey’s
My Mommy, My Mama, My Brother, and Me is a beautifully illustrated picture book that encapsulates life in a small Nova Scotia coastal town. Drawing on her own life ex- periences, Natalie Meisner invites the reader on a typical family outing around their small world. Mathilde Cinq-Mars illustrates the natural beauty of Canada’s East Coast in whimsical watercolours that capture the imagination. One can almost smell and feel the salty breeze. Meisner’s use of repetitive and rhyming
MY MOMMY, MY MAMA, MY BROTHER, AND ME Natalie Meisner, illustrated by Mathilde Cinq-Mars Nimbus Publishing, 2019 29 pages, $22.95 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Reviewed by Sheri Gaetz
phrases engages the youngest of audiences and sparks inquiry, curiosity and a sense of adventure in young and old alike. The author weaves several themes throughout this seaside adventure including natural vs. man-made, nature’s balance and gratitude for both nature and others. Impressively, this author presents a very inclusive world where race, gender, fam- ily structure and community are simply part of everyday life. Even her language (fisherfolk instead of fishermen) is a subtle example of inclusiveness. By not blatantly identifying this family as same-sex or interracial the creators of this book invite the audience to simply en-
flow of turquoise illustrations throughout the book enhance this sensation. I highly recom- mend this book. Junior and Intermediate teachers will find it to be a powerful mentor text for writer’s craft. It is a wonderful choice for a read aloud. Ocean Speaks is also an excellent choice for
its clear connections to the Ontario curricu- lum. For educators teaching grades 5 and 6, this text is an exceptional example of a biog- raphy, writing and media expectation respec- tively. The Author’s Note section at the end of the book offers greater detail regarding Marie’s story and the acceptance of her map. For Grade 7 teachers, it addresses overall and specific ex- pectations in the Physical Patterns in a Chang- ing World strand, for example understanding natural processes that create Earth’s physical features. For all upper elementary grades, Ma- rie Tharp’s story is a model of perseverance and passion in the face of adversity. It opens the door to rich discussions about gender equity, past and present. I highly recommend diving deep into this book.
Launa Lopez is a member of Thames Valley Teacher Local.
joy learning about a typically east coast com- munity through the eyes of a little boy who just happens to have a brother, a mommy and a mama. As we join this family, we learn about aquat-
ic life, the weather, local industry and cuisine, the interconnected ecosystem of life on the coast and the importance of community. Each page offers opportunity for inquiry-based les- sons in Science or Social Studies. Comparing important members of their community with our own and learning about marine life and weather are just a few examples of curriculum examples this book allows. Adults and children alike will be drawn
in to learn about nature, community, living in a typically Canadian small east coast fish- ing town and acceptance as they follow this charming family on an adventure around their quaint little town.
Sheri Gaetz is a member of the Greater Essex Teacher Local.
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ FEDERATION OF ONTARIO 45
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