The Girl Who Built An Ocean: An Artist, an Argonaut, and the True Story of the World's First Aquarium. Written by Jess Keating and illustrated by Michelle Mee Nutter. Alfred A. Knopf, Penguin Random House. 2022. $24.99 ages 7 and up

 

"Jeanne started to collect everything that 
caught her eye. She kept specimens of 
minerals and fossils in jars, preserved 
delicate butterfly wings on paper, and 
lined her desk with a rainbow of sea-
shells, pebbles, and coral."

What an interesting and inquisitive woman Jeanne Villepreux-Power was! In her time, female scientists and their work were given little attention. She persisted in her studies and today is known as the woman who invented the first aquarium, as well as a top researcher into the shell growth and behavior of the argonaut. 

Growing up with a shoemaker father and a dressmaker mother, Jeanne's interest in fabric and design was not surprising. Determined to become better, she moved to Paris at 18 and worked as a seamstress. Her hard work and design instincts found favor with many women from around the world. Always adventurous, she moved with her new husband to Sicily. There, she discovered the beauty of the ocean and its many amazing creatures. Her obsession with discovery led to avid collection and observation. 

As she sketched the intriguing ocean creatures, she was discouraged with their sudden disappearances. She needed to find a way to keep them closer for a longer time. Her interest and inventiveness led her to design a variety of aquariums to 'bring the ocean to her'. There was much to learn. 

Jeanne was especially intrigued by the argonaut; a small octopus with a delicate shell. Her curiosity concerning the shell inspired further research. 

"Jeanne collected argonaut eggs from 
the ocean. Raising them in her aquariums, 
she took notes, made sketches, and observed 
them every day." 

Her hard work led to oceanographers around the world learning more about the environment itself and its many astonishing creatures. What an inspiration! 

Those who know Jess Keating's books will know that her writing makes science accessible to even our youngest readers. This book is no exception to that. In clear text, she introduces another female researcher whose work is testament to the perseverance that led to new discoveries in the world of science. Ms. Nutter's digital artwork adds impressive settings and many fine details to the storytelling. An author’s notes about Jeanne, the argonaut, and a timeline are welcome.