Picture Book Review: Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark by Heather Lang

Cover image of Swimming with Sharks by Heather Lang, illustrated by Jordi Solano

Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark
By Heather Lang
Illustrated by Jordi Solano
Albert Whitman and Company
2016
Ages 4-8
Lexile 760

"Sharks are magnificent and misunderstood!"

From her first visits to the New York Aquarium as a child, Eugenie Clark was captivated by ocean life. She observed all different types of fish, but she was fascinated by sharks. In the narrative picture book biography Swimming with Sharks, Lang relates the story of Clark's lifelong journey to understand and educate others about sharks.

Lang’s text and Solano’s rich illustrations work together to portray Genie’s sense of wonder and inquisitiveness. When Lang writes about Genie’s mother buying her a fish tank, Solano shows a full-page view of Genie’s face, eyes wide open, studying the fish. 

Eugenie looking at fish tank in Swimming with Sharks

As Clark studies sharks, illustrations expand on the text and provide further information about sharks. When Lang describes the Cape Haze Marine Laboratory, Solano's illustrations help the reader visualize the shark pen connected to the open ocean and Clark's research process.

Clark at Cape Haze Marine Laboratory in Swimming with Sharks

Lang also incorporates quotations from Clark into the text to create a compelling factual narrative.

Clark holding shark jaw in Swimming with Sharks

Brief back matter provides further information about Clark's life and sharks. An author’s note addresses Clark's struggle and determination to become a respected expert as a Japanese-American woman, and a more about sharks section explains the importance of sharks in the earth's ecosystem. Photographs of Clark at work and selected sources round out the additional information. Swimming with Sharks is an excellent read-aloud that encourages children to explore and be curious about the world around them.

Source: Library Copy

Book Trailer:

Further Reading:

• Heather Lang Books "Genie's Notebook Pages!"
• Writers' Rumpus "Meet Heather Lang, Children's Author of Lesser-Known Women"
• Smithsonian Ocean "Eugenie Clark - The Shark Lady"
• National Ocean Service "Dr. Eugenie Clark (1922-2015)

Further Viewing:

• Thirteen Forum "The Lady and the Sharks: An Evening with Eugenie Clark"
• Dr. Eugenie Clark on Mote

Readalikes:

• Life in the Ocean: The Story of Oceanographer Sylvia Earle by Claire A. Nivola
• Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne
• Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist by Jess Keating
• Women Who Dared: 52 Fearless Daredevils, Adventurers & Rebels by Linda Skeers

Curriculum Connections:

• A Teacher's Guide to Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark
• Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium SEAtrek.TV Virtual Learning

Picture Book Review: Who Eats Orange? by Dianne White, illustrations by Robin Page

Cover image of Who Eats Orange? by Dianne White, illustrated by Robin Page

Who Eats Orange?

By Dianne White

Illustrated by Robin Page

Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster 

2018

Ages 4-8

Lexile 260

Colorful illustrations, rhyming text, a question and answer format—in Who Eats Orange?, a novel question is the basis for an excellent STEM readaloud. White's rhyming text easily flows from one color to another, inviting conversation around the text. A picture of a gorilla eating wild garlic, for example, answers the question, "Who eats green?" and immediately asks the question, "Who else eats green?" 

Green gorilla and giraffe spread of Who Eats Orange?

The next pages answer, "Giraffes in savannas do. Zebras. Hippos. Grunts too."

Zebra and hippo spread of Who Eats Orange?

But do grunts really eat green? "No! Grunt's don't eat green. They eat...red." This pattern continues throughout the story, introducing more animals and the foods they eat. Page's illustrations on a white background vividly depict the animals while showcasing vibrant papers and digital art techniques. The crosshatching on raccoon's face, fuzzy fur on fox's body, and marbled paint effect on finch's feathers are just a few examples.

Yellow turkey and raccoon spread of Who Eats Orange?

Fox and finch spread of Who Eats Orange?

The story concludes by moving from the animals to humans, asking if "maybe you" eat purple. "Why, yes, I do!" answers a page showing a child's hand reaching into a bowl of blueberries. The final spread depicts a colorful assortment of foods someone "just like you" might eat. 

Eat a rainbow spread of Who Eats Orange?

Two pages of back matter contain more detailed information for adults and children to further explore. The animals and food shown in the illustrations are bolded, and italicized terms are defined in the text. Who Eats Orange? is an eye-catching, entertaining introduction to colors, animals, and eating habits. 

Source: Library Copy

Further Reading:

• Robin Page Books "Making a Book"
• The Booking Biz "Interview: Dianne White on Teaching, Learning & Books"

Readalikes:

• I Won't Eat That by Christopher Silas Neal
• Time to Eat by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
• Who Eats What by Rebecca Pettiford
• Who Eats What?: Food Chains and Food Webs by Patricia Lauber

Curriculum Connections:

• Who Eats Orange? Activity Kit