Mother of Sharks
by Melissa Cristina Márquez (Author) Devin Elle Kurtz (Illustrator)
Forbes 30 Under 30 Honoree and globally renowned shark scientist Melissa Cristina Márquez teams up with award-winning illustrator Devin Elle Kurtz to create an informative, powerful picture book. With lyrical writing and gorgeous art, this moving story explores Melissa's personal journey from inquisitive ocean-loving child in Puerto Rico to becoming the Mother of Sharks.
As the sun sets over another gorgeous day at la Playita Del Condado in Puerto Rico, Meli doesn't want to go home. She loves the ocean more than anything, and with only five minutes left at the beach, she knows exactly where her last stop should be: the tidal pools. They are small universes of their own teeming with critters and creatures of the ocean. While looking into the pools, she meets a crab, Jaiba, who takes her on a dreamlike underwater adventure, teaches her about the importance of shark conservation, and reveals Meli's ultimate destiny: to become the Mother of Sharks.
Blending the autobiographical with the fantastical, Melissa Cristina Márquez shares her incredible story not only to dispel myths about these misunderstood creatures but also to pave the way for Latinas in STEM. Paired with Devin Elle Kurtz's vibrant, emotive illustrations, this picture book is an irresistible journey through the wonders of the ocean and, above all, a rallying cry for marine conservation.
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Kirkus
Readers will soak up the vividly illustrated underwater scenes alongside the important message to follow their passions... children from marginalized backgrounds will be especially heartened by Márquez's encouraging tale... A magical story for budding scientists.
Publishers Weekly
A Latinx child takes a step toward a STEM career as a shark scientist in this empowering read from marine biologist Márquez (the Wild Survival series). After a day spent playing at Puerto Rico's Playita Del Condado, Meli begs her mami for just five more minutes, during which a tidal-pool encounter with talking hermit crab Jaiba results in an undersea adventure. Crabs and sea stars scuttle "along ancient sandy highways" around a vibrant coral reef, but all is not right: rising temperatures caused by climate change have bleached parts of the reef, and a mako shark is caught in a net nearby. Meli, portrayed with brown skin, wants to learn more about sharks, but indicates that she's never seen a shark scientist who looks like her. Traversing space and time, Jaiba takes Meli to various locations that would help her move into the field, including to see the "Mother of Sharks," an accomplished shark scientist who, it is soon revealed, is Meli herself. Artist Kurtz (Windows to Worlds, for adults) dapples the underwater landscape with plentiful light, while Márquez combines magical and real-world components in this engaging read that champions marine conservation efforts and the power of representation. Ages 5-8. Author's agent: Alexandra Weiss, Azantian Literary. Illustrator's agent: Seth Fishman, Gernert Co. (May)
Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
Review quotes
JUV002170 - Juvenile Fiction | Animals | Marine Life
JUV004070 - Juvenile Fiction | Biographical | Latin America
Wildlife conservation
Sharks
Marine animals
Puerto Rico
Animal fiction
