Status
Available
Genres
Publication
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books (2016), Edition: Illustrated, 40 pages
Description
"This illustrated biography shares the story of female scientist, Marie Tharp, a pioneering woman scientist and the first person to ever successfully map the ocean floor"--
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User reviews
LibraryThing member AbigailAdams26
The daughter of a traveling surveyor, Marie Tharp grew up with a keen interest in maps and cartography, eventually going on to earn degrees in music, English, mathematics and geology. Despite the resistance to women participating fully in the sciences in the 1940s, she went on to get a job at the
An engaging picture-book biography from author Robert Burleigh and illustrator Raúl Colón, whose previous collaboration in the same vein was Look Up! The Story of the First Woman Astronomer, Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea follows the story of a determined woman - Marie Tharp - who never let adversity and prejudice deter her, and whose ultimate triumph came in her contribution to the human understanding of how our planet works. I thought it was telling that, rather than protest at the unfair state of affairs that confronted her, when first entering her chosen field, Tharp instead set out to show others what she could do, demonstrating by example that stereotypes should be abandoned. I imagine that this was sometimes a very discouraging course of action for her, but her perseverance paid off. Indeed, there is now a scholarship named in her honor for women entering science at her erstwhile laboratory. As expected, the artwork here is every bit as appealing as the tale, with lovely blue, green and brown tones capturing and contrasting the watery and earth-bound scenes nicely. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books featuring the scientific process, the oceanographic sciences, and/or women scientists.
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Lamont Geological Laboratory at Columbia University. Although not permitted to join oceanographic voyages - it was considered bad luck to have women on board, even at that late date! - she was the cartographer who used the data collected on such voyages to map the surface of the Atlantic Ocean. Her work helped to open up a hidden part of the earth, and, through the discovery of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, helped prove the theory of plate tectonics.An engaging picture-book biography from author Robert Burleigh and illustrator Raúl Colón, whose previous collaboration in the same vein was Look Up! The Story of the First Woman Astronomer, Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea follows the story of a determined woman - Marie Tharp - who never let adversity and prejudice deter her, and whose ultimate triumph came in her contribution to the human understanding of how our planet works. I thought it was telling that, rather than protest at the unfair state of affairs that confronted her, when first entering her chosen field, Tharp instead set out to show others what she could do, demonstrating by example that stereotypes should be abandoned. I imagine that this was sometimes a very discouraging course of action for her, but her perseverance paid off. Indeed, there is now a scholarship named in her honor for women entering science at her erstwhile laboratory. As expected, the artwork here is every bit as appealing as the tale, with lovely blue, green and brown tones capturing and contrasting the watery and earth-bound scenes nicely. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books featuring the scientific process, the oceanographic sciences, and/or women scientists.
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LibraryThing member nbmars
Author Robert Burleigh and illustrator Raúl Colón, the team that brought us the story of Henrietta Swan Leavitt, the pioneering astronomer, now tell the story of another remarkable woman, Marie Tharp (1920-2006), who helped to map the ocean floor.
The book is written in the first person, as if
In college, she received a master’s degree in geology (as well as degrees in English, music, and mathematics). She also began to wonder what was at the bottom of the sea.
She had a rough path to overcome because of the prejudices against women scientists, but she was determined, and was eventually given the assignment (along with a male colleague, Bruce Heezen) of mapping the bottom of the ocean. This large project took twenty years.
Although not mentioned in the book, for the first eighteen years of her collaboration with Heezen, Marie was not allowed to work on board a ship because of her gender, and so she drew maps from the data provided by Heezen and data she collected from other research ships. Through her achievements, she helped convince the geoscientific community of plate-tectonic theory.
Eventually, Marie Tharp received recognition and honors for her accomplishments.
At the back of the book, the author includes a brief biography of Tharp with references to other books and articles about her, a glossary, a list of “interesting Internet Links to Explore” about oceanography, and some suggested activities.
The prose is rather pedestrian, but the illustrations by Raúl Colón, done in his trademark style of watercolor washes, colored pencils and lithograph pencils, are lovely, and convey the enormity of the task undertaken by Tharp.
Evaluation: Once again Burleigh introduces to children a woman who made important discoveries through a combination of dreams, talent, and persistence. The beautiful illustrations add immeasurably to the story, and will aid the understanding of the target audience, ages 4-8. Older children will no doubt get even more out of this book.
The book is written in the first person, as if
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Marie Tharp herself were telling the story. Marie explains that her father’s job was to travel all over the U.S. making soil classification maps to aid farmers. This led to her own lifelong love of maps.In college, she received a master’s degree in geology (as well as degrees in English, music, and mathematics). She also began to wonder what was at the bottom of the sea.
She had a rough path to overcome because of the prejudices against women scientists, but she was determined, and was eventually given the assignment (along with a male colleague, Bruce Heezen) of mapping the bottom of the ocean. This large project took twenty years.
Although not mentioned in the book, for the first eighteen years of her collaboration with Heezen, Marie was not allowed to work on board a ship because of her gender, and so she drew maps from the data provided by Heezen and data she collected from other research ships. Through her achievements, she helped convince the geoscientific community of plate-tectonic theory.
Eventually, Marie Tharp received recognition and honors for her accomplishments.
At the back of the book, the author includes a brief biography of Tharp with references to other books and articles about her, a glossary, a list of “interesting Internet Links to Explore” about oceanography, and some suggested activities.
The prose is rather pedestrian, but the illustrations by Raúl Colón, done in his trademark style of watercolor washes, colored pencils and lithograph pencils, are lovely, and convey the enormity of the task undertaken by Tharp.
Evaluation: Once again Burleigh introduces to children a woman who made important discoveries through a combination of dreams, talent, and persistence. The beautiful illustrations add immeasurably to the story, and will aid the understanding of the target audience, ages 4-8. Older children will no doubt get even more out of this book.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Bertha_
I read this after my 8 year old read it. Honestly, it was really good! Great illustrations, great writing and incredibly informative. I can't wait to get and read the grown-up version of this book!
LibraryThing member melodyreads
little known story ...
LibraryThing member LibrarianRyan
This is a wonderful biography of a woman who combined science and art to make a name for herself. Her discoveries helped prove they were mountains under the water, and that continental drift was a real thing. This book is lovingly done and well illustrated. For a children’s picture book it’s
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done in the first person which is highly unusual but very effective. This is a great biography for any library collection. Show Less
Awards
AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books (Finalist — 2017)
Cook Prize (Honor Book — 2017)
Kansas NEA Reading Circle Recommended Book (Intermediate — 2017)
New York Public Library Best Books: For Kids (Nonfiction — 2016)
Rise: A Feminist Book Project for Ages 0-18 (Selection — 2017)
Illinois Reads (3-5 — 2018)
El día de los niños / El día de los libros (3-5 — 2017)
Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List (Youth — 2018)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2016
Physical description
40 p.; 11.5 inches
ISBN
1481416006 / 9781481416009