of art classes. Marie sketched
in her notebook. She learned
about stylish outfits, shapes
and designs. And she stuck
her sculptures together with
gum.
Marie did not take art for long.
Soon, many men went off to
fight in a war. With the men
away ... "
Marie Tharp's interest in nature began when she was a very young girl. She wanted to be like her papa who studied their natural world. Marie's curiosity led to her will to explore with her father. At the time (early 1920s), girls were not allowed to study such things. So, Marie studied all things deemed appropriate for young women, unhappily.
When men were called to war, women were encouraged to turn to science. Finally, Marie could work in a field that she loved. Here learning led to work in a lab in New York, and there she stayed even though her male counterparts were encouraged to take trips for research. Women were not allowed on the ships ... bad luck! As data came back to the lab, it was Marie who was tasked with making a map of the ocean floor.
She did just that, by imagining she was there. When her map of the mid-Atlantic Ridge proved what none of the researchers had found, her work was mocked. It was Jacques Cousteau who decided to show the world she was wrong; she was not! Her map work showed the secret the ocean had been hiding. It led to further research and much discovery concerning earth science.
Katie Hickey uses watercolor, pencil, and mono-printing to create the digital artwork that accompanies this engaging picture book biography. The fold-out that shows Marie's map expanding along the ocean floor is awesome. I love all the blues, and the energy the artist exhibits. This is a great introduction to a woman very few people know. An author's note, a list of questions and answers, and a list for further research can be found in back matter.
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