Before Jacques Cousteau became an internationally known oceanographer and champion of the seas, he was a curious little boy. In this lovely biograp...
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Aug 11, 2008
Lynn
rated it: 
I have my 4 year-old twin grandsons 4 afternoons a week and they are my picture book testers. They picked this up off the new book shelf today at the library and had to read it the minute we got home. It was a hit with them - we read it three times in a row - and with me too! This is a beautifully illustrated and inspiring story of the great Jacques Cousteau. The pages are in lovely shimmery colors conveying the sense of water and the beautiful world beneath the sea. Cousteau's inventive an
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(2 people liked it)
Sep 13, 2010
Ann
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I know about Mr. Cousteau, but I admit that I know a very small amount of details (I blush to admit this). So, it was very enlightening for me to read "Manfish" which tells of Cousteau's childhood and young adult life, and how his various interests worked together to help him become one of the people to first document never-before-seen underwater life.
I really enjoyed this story. I thought the narrative did a good job of keeping the flow of the story, even though it skips s More...
I really enjoyed this story. I thought the narrative did a good job of keeping the flow of the story, even though it skips s More...
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(4 people liked it)
May 13, 2010
Emerson School
rated it: 
Explorers (5th grade standard), inventors (2nd grade standard), nonfiction (3rd grade writing prompt), and environmental stewardship (everyone)! This beautifully illustrated book hits a lot of relevant points. It's amazing to think that each of us can easily visualize underwater scenes, thanks to Jacques Cousteau. And he invented scuba gear! Neat!
There are some major flaws with this book, all great things that we were able to recognize and discuss after reading it aloud. It lacks a More...
There are some major flaws with this book, all great things that we were able to recognize and discuss after reading it aloud. It lacks a More...
Jan 15, 2010
Kathryn
rated it: 
Last night was a really, really good night for children's books--I read many five-star books--and this one started it off right. It's a beautifully told story of Jacques Cousteau, famous oceanographer, from his first curiosity and infatuation with the sea to his inventions to his movies and exploration to his conservation efforts. An interesting biographical note in the back is included. All I can say is, what a cool and inspiring guy! I love how the story shows how his childhood dreams and
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(6 people liked it)
Nov 14, 2010
Janie
rated it:
Camembert! Baguette!
Before I read this I'd managed to know nearly nothing of Mr. Cousteau. I admit my interest was piqued mostly because of The Flight of the Conchords. (There was something else I was thinking at the time I put this in my queue, something about a need for a sampling of children's non-fiction, but I forget now what that was all about.)
I learned what I want to know about Cousteau! The text way outshines the illustration. I got a great picture of his advent More...
Before I read this I'd managed to know nearly nothing of Mr. Cousteau. I admit my interest was piqued mostly because of The Flight of the Conchords. (There was something else I was thinking at the time I put this in my queue, something about a need for a sampling of children's non-fiction, but I forget now what that was all about.)
I learned what I want to know about Cousteau! The text way outshines the illustration. I got a great picture of his advent More...
Nov 06, 2008
Andrew
rated it:
Manfish by Jennifer Berne, illustrated by Eric Puybaret, begins with a young Jacques Cousteau who is fascinated with the ocean and dreams that one day he will be able to breathe underwater. This biography chronicles Cousteau’s marvelous inventions, the underwater still and movie cameras and his magnificent “aqualung,” that ultimately allows him and the crew of his ship Calypso to achieve the dream of exploring hidden worlds under the sea. Cousteau introduced the world to the beauty and mystery
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Jun 04, 2008
Tasha
rated it:
Learn the story of the journey of Jacques Cousteau from a young boy to the scientist and filmmaker through this vibrant picture book. Cousteau was fascinated by both film and the sea from a young age, dreaming of breathing underwater as a child. It was his invention of the aqualung that made all of his exploration possible. This is also the story of the Calypso and Cousteau's best friends who worked with him throughout his life.
Berne's words make this a vibrant book. Her abilit More...
Berne's words make this a vibrant book. Her abilit More...
Aug 01, 2009
Chak
rated it:
A book about Jacques Cousteau is pretty cool. We all enjoyed it and it made me think of watching his show (and Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom) when I was a kid. And, as far as biographies for kids go, this one was easy to get through and quick. However, a rather contrived environmental message about saving the oceans and the evils of pollution jumps out at you toward the end of the book, and I felt they could have done that in a less ham-fisted way.
Sep 20, 2009
Tonya
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I haven't added too many picture books, but here is one I could not resist. It is the story of Jacques Cousteau's life from childhood on. The illustrations are gorgeous and the story is well told. This man made a significant impact on the world. Children and adults should read this book and be inspired by Mr. Cousteau. A good book for educators who are teaching the genre of biography or doing a unit on aquatic life.
May 17, 2011
Vicki
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Manfish A story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne and illustrated by Eric Puybaret is a wonderfully written biography of the man who pioneered the new way we look at the ocean. The words are poetically fascinating. I wish though that the illustrations were a wee bit brighter. I understand the feel for the deep depths of the ocean....but for kids, I wonder if a little lightening up would be helpful.
Apr 26, 2009
Mary Ann
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Even as a little boy, Jacques Cousteau loved the water. He dreamed that he could fly underwater. He was also fascinated by machines, taking apart and inventing all types of gadgets. As a young man, he started to dive underwater, but he wanted to stay under water longer than just one breath at a time. So he invented the aqualung to help him breathe under water. "Below the surface, Jacques swam and glided and dove. He did flips and somersalts. He stood upside down on one finger, and la
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Feb 10, 2010
Cynthia
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This picture book is the life story of Jacques Cousteau, the great underwater film maker. My boys loved the beautiful illustrations and how Jacques Cousteau's imagination literally took him places. My boys are still asking questions about this book and have asked to read it over and over. If your kids are interested in the ocean pick this one up.
Dec 04, 2010
Marni
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We've read this before and really enjoyed the story of Jacques Cousteau. Incredible what a person can do when they follow their interests.
Read again in November 2010 and used it in a class talking about unique gifts and talents, that everyone has greatness to share.
Read again in November 2010 and used it in a class talking about unique gifts and talents, that everyone has greatness to share.
Apr 29, 2011
Cynthia
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This is a picture book about the life of Jacques Cousteau. It's easy to read and understand the different thing Cousteau was known for. This book is good for children between Kindergarten and 2nd grade age. It has good pictures that encourage children to look at the ocean as great place to be able to explore.
Oct 14, 2009
Amy
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There are video's you could look at on Youtube that he filmed that would be a nice addition to reading this to students during my 4th grade biography unit.
I really liked the flute fish! The flute fish are really fantastic-looking! :)
I really liked the flute fish! The flute fish are really fantastic-looking! :)
Aug 24, 2010
Amy
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This is a beautifully written and illustrated biography about a fascinating man who has done so much in the field of oceanography, environmental awareness, scuba diving, research, etc. I loved this beautiful book!
Nov 23, 2011
Jen
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I really liked this book, kids thought it was ok. I didn't know the history of Jaques Cousteau, he even invented the "aqua lung" to allow him to "fly" through the seas. Neat story!
Jul 23, 2010
Malissa
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What a beautifully crafted and illustrated book about Jacques Cousteau. The story of following your dreams and finding the solution to obstacles in your way is a wonderful story for any young child.
Jan 05, 2009
Tara
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Beautiful illustrations accompany this story of Jacque Cousteau's life, from his boyhood spent experimenting with blueprints and filming movies, to his adult life as an underwater explorer and champion of the sea.
Aug 01, 2011
Amanda
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I liked this book. It is a picture book about Jacques Cousteau that has lovely pictures in the colors of the sea. I would keep this as a biography for younger readers in my library.
Dec 05, 2008
Kris
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Another really interesting picturebook biography. I remember how much my dad loved watching Jacques Cousteau on PBS. The book is beautiful and really well-written.
Nov 29, 2011
Pair with The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau, which has quotes from Cousteau all through the book. Manfish is more lyrical in tone and illustrations.
Aug 28, 2009
nicole
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loving this book doesn't surprise me - beautiful underwater illustrations. not sure it'll fly for our kindergarten visits, but definitely with the older story hours.
May 10, 2010
Christine
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An interesting book about Jacques Cousteau. I read it to my students and these are their votes: Loved it-205, Liked it-33, Didn't like it-29.
Apr 16, 2009
Peg
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beautiful writing and book-making; captures the joy of discovery and invention while gently encouraging the reader to take action!
Aug 17, 2008
Abby
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Really gorgeous paintings illustrate this picture book biography of Jacques Cousteau. As Jacques discovers the sea, the reader sees all the wonderful plants and animals, too. As he dives deeper and deeper, we're treated to vertical spreads and unfolding pages that really capture the underwater wonderland that he explored. A short author's note gives a little information about the author's inspiration and some ideas for further exploring the world of Jacques Cousteau.
Hand this one to as More...
Hand this one to as More...
May 20, 2010
Emily
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Loved this! A great introduction to Jacques Cousteau for children. The story is simply told, the illustrations are beautiful.
Mar 09, 2010
Kim
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We have all heard about the first man on the moon, but have you ever heard about the first man to explore what is in our oceans? You haven't? Then take a look at this wonderful picture book biography.
Jan 11, 2009
Paige
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Love Cousteau (not his inadvertent destruction of swaths of coral reefs) and what he has done for aquatic science...
Dec 02, 2011
Miss Kious
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Kids' introduction to some of the accomplishments of Jacques Cousteau, who brought the world's oceans to people for the first time, and who worked hard to protect it. A list of Cousteau resources in the back.
Inspiring - go and find out for yourself!
Inspiring - go and find out for yourself!
