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Mohrbooks Literary Agency
Sebastian Ritscher
Original language
English
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MOTHER OF SHARKS

Devin Elle Kurtz Melissa Cristina Marquez

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 that explores Melissa's personal journey from being an inquisitive ocean-loving child 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 minorities 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.

Melissa Cristina Márquez (she/her) is a fiercely proud Hispanic marine biologist, wildlife educator, professional speaker, and presenter. She has given two TEDx talk on sharks and female scientists, and her work has been highlighted in NPR, Allure, Disney+, BBC, National Geographic, Good Morning America, and more. In 2021, Melissa was featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30: Science list and the InStyle "50 Badass Women" list. Melissa holds a BA in Marine Ecology and Conservation from New College of Florida and an MSc in Marine Biology from Victoria University. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Mexico, Melissa aims to bring attention to the importance of diversity and inclusion with her writing.
Devin Elle Kurtz (she/her) lives in San Diego, California, with her dog, Kira, and her thirty-three houseplants. She's been painting in Photoshop since the age of two when her artist mom first offered her a tablet pen. This is her debut picture book as an illustrator! Visit her online at devinellekurtz.com
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Book

Published 2023-05-30 by Penguin Workshop

Book

Published 2023-05-30 by Penguin Workshop

Comments

Márquez, a Latina marine biologist, weaves autobiographical elements into a fantasy narrative in this picture book for children interested in STEM... Luminous illustrations that capture both the warm sunlight and turquoise waters add a vivid backdrop to the magical story... Endpapers of labeled sharks, informative back matter, and an encouraging letter from the author wrap up this entertaining and inspirational tale.

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.

The vibrant art exudes energy and warmth, inviting readers in first with the glowing, honey hues of the sunset, and then the jewel-toned richness of the underwater scenes... youngsters who find themselves drawn to the sea just for the beauty of it will find a lovely oceanic portrait here.

A fantastical fictionalized account of the childhood of Melissa Cristina Marquez in Puerto Rico. Important purchase for its representation of Latinx/Hispanics in the hard sciences.

[An] empowering read from marine biologist Márquez... Artist Kurtz 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.