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tammae's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
I loved this book about striving for your passions even when no one believes in you.
cweichel's review
4.0
This tells us the story of Marie Tharp. She had to deal with the challenges of not being appreciated or respected for her work because she was a woman. Using data collected by male scientists, she collated it and created the first map of the ocean showing an underwater mountain range. This provided proof of tectonics and continental drift.
Katie Hickey's artwork is a lovely compliment to this story.
This reminded me of [b: Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea: Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor|25785790|Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor|Robert Burleigh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451843121l/25785790._SX50_.jpg|45636466] a previous non fiction picture book about this amazing woman. I think I need to reread it and decide which I like best.
Katie Hickey's artwork is a lovely compliment to this story.
This reminded me of [b: Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea: Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor|25785790|Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea Marie Tharp Maps the Ocean Floor|Robert Burleigh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1451843121l/25785790._SX50_.jpg|45636466] a previous non fiction picture book about this amazing woman. I think I need to reread it and decide which I like best.
etienne02's review
3.0
Reminded me a bit of the Little People Big Dream collection. A short story/biography about a not so well know person but that still deserved to be noticed for her inspiring path.
renee_b's review
4.0
This biography was pretty standard for children's biographies today. It followed the format where the subject's childhood is emphasized before their adulthood accomplishments (a trend in children's bios that seems a little boring at some times to me, although the very funny illustrations and the anecdote about Marie getting kicked out of art class after gluing her sculptures together with gum made The Ocean Speaks less tedious in this regard). The book pared down of more complicated scientific and political events happening at the time, i.e., World War II is described as a time when "many men went off to fight in a war" and nothing else.
What made this bio stand out to me* was the commentary about how people's contributions are important, even when they are not recognized. Many women (and other marginalized people) who were and are virtually unknown scientists (They're not always Marie Curie or George Washington Carver) made world-altering discoveries. I was deeply moved by the author's note at the back saying,
Throughout her life, Marie worked in the background. But, like the shifting earth she mapped so beautifully, Marie proved that those in the background can have incredibly powerful influences on the world. Her legacy lives on in all those who explore the big blue mystery of the ocean realm.
Looking forward to more and more children's bios about "those in the background."
*Also the aforementioned gorgeous illustrations! I loved how Marie is depicted for most of the book in various shades of blue and green, tying her symbolically in the reader's mind to the ocean.
What made this bio stand out to me* was the commentary about how people's contributions are important, even when they are not recognized. Many women (and other marginalized people) who were and are virtually unknown scientists (They're not always Marie Curie or George Washington Carver) made world-altering discoveries. I was deeply moved by the author's note at the back saying,
Throughout her life, Marie worked in the background. But, like the shifting earth she mapped so beautifully, Marie proved that those in the background can have incredibly powerful influences on the world. Her legacy lives on in all those who explore the big blue mystery of the ocean realm.
Looking forward to more and more children's bios about "those in the background."
*Also the aforementioned gorgeous illustrations! I loved how Marie is depicted for most of the book in various shades of blue and green, tying her symbolically in the reader's mind to the ocean.
mldavisreads's review
informative
4.0
Picture book biography. Marie Tharp is a little known geologist and cartographer responsible for mapping the ocean floor and proving the existence of the rift/valleys along the ocean floor, the missing piece in the theory of continental drift. She faced sexism her whole life but when the world opened up a bit for women during WWII, she took advantage of the opportunity and studied math and science, specifically geology. Though sexism again would not let her take part in the actual research trips once she was hired by a lab, she dutifully plotted the points received from the sonar data. When her male colleague didn't believe her findings, she did the whole thing a second time. Finally Jacques Cousteau sent his camera down and proved her right, that there was a rift valley on the ocean floor. Back matter includes an author's note, science q and a, and resources for further reading. The illustration style here was rather interesting-- the people were all a bit cartoonish, and the color scheme focused on blues and yellows. I liked it though and it was definitely reminiscent of the beach.
elizabethlk's review
4.0
Ocean Speaks by Jess Keating, illustrated by Katie Hickey, is a great example of what a picture book biography should be.
With a beautiful and fun rhythm, Keating tells the story of Marie Tharp, a brilliant scientist who changed the ways we think about the world and about the secrets that lie beneath the ocean. Tharp's life and work are presented in a way that is easy to understand and relate to, and the science is easy to follow. The illustrations are lively and vibrant, without being overwhelming, and they help bring the story to life for readers. The author's note and Q&A at the end is a great touch for curious kids looking to know more--I know I would have loved this section as a kid, especially since it is so accessible (as so many author's notes in these types of books almost feel like they're directed more at curious parents and caregivers).
I would definitely recommend this for any kids interested in science, the ocean, and history.
With a beautiful and fun rhythm, Keating tells the story of Marie Tharp, a brilliant scientist who changed the ways we think about the world and about the secrets that lie beneath the ocean. Tharp's life and work are presented in a way that is easy to understand and relate to, and the science is easy to follow. The illustrations are lively and vibrant, without being overwhelming, and they help bring the story to life for readers. The author's note and Q&A at the end is a great touch for curious kids looking to know more--I know I would have loved this section as a kid, especially since it is so accessible (as so many author's notes in these types of books almost feel like they're directed more at curious parents and caregivers).
I would definitely recommend this for any kids interested in science, the ocean, and history.
bethmitcham's review
4.0
This biography of Marie Tharp covers both her career, her discovery, and some of the barriers she faced as a woman in science. As a picture book, the illustrations and language work really well together, especially as they show the inspiration and joy mapmaking can give, transporting the scientist from the office to the location of the maps. The controversy and resolution are well described, and I thought the problems of misogyny in science was fairly treated (if a bit optimistic about its extent now).
jenniereads9aba0's review
5.0
Ocean Speaks is an adorable picture book Marie Tharp and her contributions in mapping the ocean floor. I had no idea that she even existed until I read this book. I found her story so interesting and I look forward to reading more about her. I love that this is introducing her story to young kids. The art is great!
*eARC provided in exchange for an honest review*
*eARC provided in exchange for an honest review*
emileereadsbooks's review
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Tundra Books for a free digital copy
This is a biographical picture book about Marie Tharp and how her map of the ocean floor impacted science forever. Even though doors were closed to Marie because she was female, she opened scientific doors that researchers are still walking through today. From the author’s note, “Throughout her life she worked in the background. But, like the shifting earth she mapped so beautifully, Marie proved that those in the background can have incredibly powerful influences on the world.” This is a great story (even more so because it’s true) of a female scientist not letting the world tell her what she can and cannot accomplish. Plus the illustrations are above and beyond incredible. There is one where Marie is drawing a map and it’s spilling out of her lap like a blanket that I just love.
This is a biographical picture book about Marie Tharp and how her map of the ocean floor impacted science forever. Even though doors were closed to Marie because she was female, she opened scientific doors that researchers are still walking through today. From the author’s note, “Throughout her life she worked in the background. But, like the shifting earth she mapped so beautifully, Marie proved that those in the background can have incredibly powerful influences on the world.” This is a great story (even more so because it’s true) of a female scientist not letting the world tell her what she can and cannot accomplish. Plus the illustrations are above and beyond incredible. There is one where Marie is drawing a map and it’s spilling out of her lap like a blanket that I just love.
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