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Else B. In The Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep

Else B. in the Sea:
The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep

Overview

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A poetic picture book biography about a daring and pioneering woman artist that combines themes of art and science. A perfect STEAM book!

Else Bostelmann donned a red swimsuit and a copper diving helmet and, with paints and brushes in hand, descended into the choppy turquoise sea off the coast of Bermuda. It was 1930, and few had ventured deep into the sea before. She discovered a fairyland six fathoms below the surface—fantastic coral castles, glittering sunbeams, swaying sea plumes, and slender purple sea fans. And fish! Flashy silverfish, puckering blue parrotfish, iridescent jellyfish. Else painted under the sea! She painted what she saw with her own eyes.

 

 Back on land, Else painted the never-before-seen deep-sea creatures described by world-renowned scientist William Beebe on his momentous 1930s bathysphere expeditions for the New York Zoological Society’s Department of Tropical Research. It was a daring and glamorous adventure and a dream come true for Else B., who shared this new, unfathomable world with humankind.

Watch the Else B. in the Sea Trailer!

Else B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep Cover

Else B. in the Sea: The Woman Who Painted the Wonders of the Deep

Illustrator

Publisher

 

Age

ISBN

Melodie Stacey

Cameron Kids/Abrams

Ages 4-8

9781949480283

Else B. In Diving Gear

PRAISE FOR

Else B. in the Sea ...

***STARRED REVIEW***
"Readers will feel as if they have taken the plunge, too...Her ever-expanding solutions from subsequent dives are fascinating and a testament to her resilience. The illustrations...will hook readers, both with the drama of Else’s dives and with the delicious creepiness of some of the sea creatures...A hugely appealing story"―Booklist 

“The [illustrations] are dazzling and convey how extraordinary undersea life is ... A little-known female artist receives well-deserved attention.”

— Kirkus Reviews

“Harvey masterfully weaves together elements of history, science, and art... a celebration of curiosity, resilience, and the transformative power of art. Harvey’s lyrical prose and Stacey’s evocative illustrations combine to create a mesmerizing tale that will captivate readers of all ages.”

— The Children's Book Review

Gallery

text copyright (c) 2024 Jeanne Walker Harvey

illustrations copyright (c) 2024 Melodie Stacey

Else B.
Painting of a fish from the deep sea

QUOTE BY

ELSE BOSTELMANN

“No modern adventure can surpass the supreme joy of exploring

[the deep sea's] unique grandeur.”

Decorative Background

BEHIND THE SCENES Q&As
and Reviews

Want more Else B. In the Sea? Check out these

ELSE B illus of sea creatures per publisher.jpg

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Else B. in the Sea Activity Kit

Else B in the Sea Activity Kit

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