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15th out of 61 books
—
154 voters
Mermaid Queen: The Spectacular True Story Of Annette Kellerman, Who Swam Her Way To Fame, Fortune & Swimsuit History!
A fun, feel-good, "underdog" story about a little-known female athlete whose derring-do transformed girls' sports.
Are you brave enough to make a wave? If you love sports and people who aren't afraid to swim against the tide, Annette Kellerman and her freestyle approach to life will make your heart swell.
With strokes of genius, Shana Corey and Edwin Fotheringham pool their...more
Are you brave enough to make a wave? If you love sports and people who aren't afraid to swim against the tide, Annette Kellerman and her freestyle approach to life will make your heart swell.
With strokes of genius, Shana Corey and Edwin Fotheringham pool their...more
Hardcover, 48 pages
Published
April 1st 2009
by Scholastic Press
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This is an amazing book! The story is absolutely fascinating and the pictures are so bright and vivid and fun! It is the true story of Annette Kellerman who as a young girl did not have full use of her legs. Her father taught her how to swim which enabled her to use and strengthen her legs. She became a master swimmer but was criticized because swimming wasn't artistic enough nor were girl athletes accepted as the norm. That didn't stop Annette though! She and her father traveled to London where...more
I love, love, love this book! It is so much fun, so inspiring, so refreshing and exhilarating--rather like a good swim ;-) Here is the story of Australian-born Annette Kellerman who was "terribly afraid of the water" as a little girl but encouraged to swim to strengthen her weak legs. But, she was brave and persevered and soon began setting records. Later in life, she said, "I learn much from people in the way they meet the unknown in life, and water is a great test... This love of the unknown i...more
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I'm always fascinated by famous figures from the past that have been largely forgotten by the public memory. It gives me hope when I look at some of the forgettable celebrities floating around today. Once in a while these celebrities of ages past will pop up in biographical films, written biographies, or in a very rare case, in picture book biographies. And when it comes to Annette Kellerman "champion swimmer, risk-taker, and fashion rebel", author Shana Corey says of her, "Few people have heard...more
Feb 26, 2010
Lisa Vegan
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone interested in swimming, people overcoming adversity, innovators
Well, I wasn’t sure about this one: swimsuit fashion? But I love stories of people overcoming the odds and excelling, and what with watching the Olympics these past two weeks (having been a fan since my teens) I was intrigued by a woman who was a pioneer of women’s swimming.
I thank the Children's Books group for introducing me to this book. It’s one of the book selections for March’s Picture-Book Club; I don’t know that I’d otherwise have ever read this book. I’d never heard of it, and I wasn’t...more
I thank the Children's Books group for introducing me to this book. It’s one of the book selections for March’s Picture-Book Club; I don’t know that I’d otherwise have ever read this book. I’d never heard of it, and I wasn’t...more
3 likes · like · see review
Mermaid Queen by Shana Corey
Loved this author and this illustrator's work together on a previous book about Alice Roosevelt. This one was even better. The wonderful text, printed in big and small fonts, with curls and swirls, combined with the fun illustrations makes for a great book.
I'm happy to learn about the life of Annette Kellerman, who began to swim to strengthen her legs weakened by debilitating disease. She loved dancing and was the first to create what came to be known as water ballet...more
Loved this author and this illustrator's work together on a previous book about Alice Roosevelt. This one was even better. The wonderful text, printed in big and small fonts, with curls and swirls, combined with the fun illustrations makes for a great book.
I'm happy to learn about the life of Annette Kellerman, who began to swim to strengthen her legs weakened by debilitating disease. She loved dancing and was the first to create what came to be known as water ballet...more
Has anyone ever heard of Annette Kellerman? Back in 1903 when she was a young girl swimmer her mother worried that people would talk, and when she performed before royalty at London's Bath Club there was more concern about her bare legs than her ability in the water. And in Boston she was arrested for her shocking swim attire! But Annette presevered, insisting that swimming was healthful exercise for everyone and that women would be happier and healthier if they were allowed more freedom to be p...more
This story of Annette Kellerman tells of her aspiration to bring swimming to women around the world. Although she faced the challenges from her own family, to those who thought it was wrong for women to be in bathing suits, she overcame those trials and her fame grew as continued to do what she loved; swim. Word spread of Annette and soon everyone was following her lead and marveling over her abilities. On her first trip to the United States she was reprimanded by the police for swimming in the...more
The story of a young girl who could barely walk due to an illness, Annette Kellerman, who was inspired by the graceful dancers she saw in her parents' music school. She learned to swim to strengthen her legs and eventually used her love of the activity to change the world's attitudes about female athletes, the benefits of exercise for women, invent the first version of the modern swimsuit for women, and be credited for inventing the graceful art of Water Ballet. The bright and colorfully illustr...more
What an informative, fun story about Annette Kellerman! I didn't know a thing about this woman until I read this book, and what an amazing story. After being nearly unable to walk as a child, Annette was given the prescription to swim. Not only did Annette grow stronger legs, she grew a strong will and the desire to "make waves" :) She championed swimming as a sport and an artistic craft, as well as championing women's athletics and new, lighter swimsuits for women.
The author's note at the back...more
The author's note at the back...more
3 likes · like · see review
I adored the illustrations in this book! Huge, sweeping waves of color and pattern, and they're just lovely. The story is fantastic, too—the life of Annette Kellerman, the woman who basically broke down stuffy cultural norms that made women cover up in multiple layers and stay on the beach while men went out and enjoyed themselves swimming. When she was young she couldn't walk, and her doctor recommended swimming to strengthen her legs. She'd always admired ballet dancers, so when she learned to...more
No, I'd never heard of Annette Kellerman before reading this book, but after reading this book multiple times I can say that you should know about her! My four year old fell in love with this book about a young Australian who changed the way the world looked at female athletes and swimwear. This book has it all: beautiful and colorful illustrations, a heroine you like and cheer for, a few pages of suspense, and a great feel-good ending. I like the fact that my boys are learning about a historica...more
Vivid colors splash across the page in this picture book biography of Annette Kellerman, the Australian swimmer who invented water ballet and shocked audiences with her "skimpy" (for the times) bathing suits. Annette's vivacious personality comes across on every page as she becomes a record-breaking swimmer, advocates for female athletes, and designs new non-restrictive bathing suits for women. This is a great story of a woman who was not afraid to follow her dreams or fight for what she believe...more
Not many people know of Annette Kellerman, myself included, but she used to be a household name. Her story, depicted here with the spirit and funk that seemed to define Annette, is incredibly inspiring and a lot of fun to read. I also enjoyed the little surprise of reading about her visit to Boston to swim at Revere Beach. I swam and played at that beach countless times as a little girl. The illustrations also capture Annette's personality...bright, colorful, bold and cheerful.
Thanks for the recommendation, April--this book is awesome. A true story of a girl against whom the odds were clearly stacked. With a lot of courage and the help of a supportive and very forward thinking father, she was able to overcome them. Annette Kellerman made swimming a women's sport! She also influenced bathing suit styles so that women could and eventually did wear "bathing costumes" that were much more practical than those that had come before. Annette Kellerman was a one woman revoluti...more
Annette Kellerman was a "champion swimmer, risk-taker, and fashion rebel who invented both water ballet and the modern swimsuit." Fighting against the ideas that women had too many "fragile nerves" to swim or exercise in the early 1900s, Annette challenged female stereotypes in Australia, England, and the United States.
This book also contains a really great "Author's Note" with a picture of Annette posing in one of the swimsuits she created.
This book also contains a really great "Author's Note" with a picture of Annette posing in one of the swimsuits she created.
A standout picture book biography. Annette Kellerman, who wore leg braces in childhood, began swimming to gain strength, and went on to become a champion swimmer, risk-taker, and fashion rebel. She championed exercise when women were supposed to be immobile, and wore "indecent" swimsuits because they allowed her to move. Great book for athletics, girl power, overcoming adversity, fashion, and phenomenal colorful illustrations.
Yeah! that her dad stuck by her and supported her during a time when she didn't have "fashionable" or "seemly" views. Yeah! that she was strong enough in herself that she knew what the right thing was and went ahead and did it! Yeah! that she helped others become stronger and better and healthier.
To think that she is so unknown....
To think that she is so unknown....
Fantastic story, beautiful illustrations, based on the life of Annette Kellerman a champion swimmer who revolutionized bathing suits, invented Water Ballet, challenged the opinion of the day that women should not be athletes and incredibly, I had never heard of. A really important and wonderful addition to any children's library.
I love Edwin Fotheringham's illustrations and page layout - they always pull me right into the book. This is a great, easy, interesting bio about a little-known (today) woman in history. Good for girls to know that because of women like Annette Kellerman, we have more freedom in what we do and wear than we did 100 years ago.
I really loved this story of Annette Kellerman who could not walk as a child but became a strong swimmer and played a prominent role in the history of the swimsuit. The illustrations are cool, and I especially liked the last page where it shows the evolution of swimsuits over the years. C. 2009, genre-informational
Vibrantly illustrated and interesting biography about Annette Kellerman, a relatively unknown athelete who is a good role models for girls and a champion for swimming against the tide (bad pun intended).
Also liked that her father was so supportive. Thanks to her we are not swimming in bloomers :)
Also liked that her father was so supportive. Thanks to her we are not swimming in bloomers :)
This is a thoroughly enjoyable biographic picture book about Annette Kellerman, an Australian who invented water ballet, the modern bathing suit, and advocated for female athletes. The somewhat brief text is good for young readers and further details at the end will interest older readers.
An exciting story of Annette Kellerman, the woman who pioneered swimming for women and even the modern swimsuit! A fun read aloud to inspire girls and teach children about some of the past discrimination against women. Would be a great gift to a young girl swimmer
Annette Kellerman was really cool! Read about her "making waves" by creating a swimsuit for women, making movies and getting arrested at Revere Beach. She was a modern woman who believed in exercise long before society was ready for this revolutionary idea.
How fortunate for readers that author Shana Corey has written a biography about this prominent figure in the world of women's athletics. She was a champion in more ways than one; this book bringing each of her accomplishments to light.
Well, who knew about Annette Kellerman? Cool, inspiring story of a girl who threw social cautions right back at the cautioners and stood up for herself. Made me want to toss on a bathing suit and go for a swim.
A great girls-can-do-it book. I loved how carefully the facts were woven into the story--exemplary nonfiction writing that keeps the story front and center while keeping interesting details in tact.
I enjoyed this free book I got from my LS 585 class. I learned about a person I had never heard of Annette Kellerman. I like that she had guts to go against the norm, and do what she knew was just.
This is a very inspirational book for overcoming stereotypes and sticking with what you believe in despite other's opinions. Great for girls in sports in particular.
Another mock caldecott book. I liked this title, it was very simple, yet full of fun and excitement. From a historical perspective I thought it was a little light, glossing over troubles she may have faced. The author does include more detail in the back, and discusses how she came to write about this character from history. I liked that the author mentions how Annette tried things that didn't succeed, but that she just kept trying, but I felt that wasn't emphasized enough in the book.
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Lives in Brooklyn, NY with her husband.
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