Mermaid Queen. Shana Corey. Illustrated by Edwin
Fotheringham. 2009. [April 2009]. Scholastic. 48 pages. ISBN 978-0439698351.
Annotation
This picture book chronicles the life of Australian Annette Kellerman;
record setting swimmer, swimsuit innovator, movie star, and performer.
My thoughts
Annette Kellerman beat the odds. When she was young she couldn’t walk, so
her father taught her how to swim. Swimming strengthened Annette’s leg and
resolve and she set records and created her own water performances making her
internationally popular. When she got to America, in the early 1900’s she was
amazed to see the beach fashion “stocking and shoes, bloomers and bathing
dresses, collards and corsets and caps.” As a new woman, and nonconformist,
Annette dove into water in her racing suit. Beach fashion changed shortly after
her bold move.
I was not aware of Annette Kellerman before reading this book. I enjoyed
the book and like that this period is illustrated. Young girls not only learn
about Kellerman’s biography but can also witness the great changes that have
been made since. This is an entertaining book and a story of a strong female
role model that I would recommend.
Curricular
connections
Grade 4 and up: Social Studies/ women’s history
Reading level/ Interest Age
Preschool and
up.
Reviews and Awards
N/A
Author
website: No author
website found.
Illustrator
website: www.edfotheringham.com/
Media: Digital Media
Genre: Nonfiction, biography
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