Manfish: a story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne, illustrated by Eric Puybaret.

Learn the story of the journey of Jacques Cousteau from a young boy to the scientist and filmmaker through this vibrant picture book.  Cousteau was fascinated by both film and the sea from a young age, dreaming of breathing underwater as a child.  It was his invention of the aqualung that made all of his exploration possible.  This is also the story of the Calypso and Cousteau’s best friends who worked with him throughout his life. 

Berne’s words make this a vibrant book.  Her ability to tie Cousteau’s dreams of the ocean to children of today is powerful.  The tone of the book is one of wonder at Cousteau’s accomplishments, completely appropriate for a figure of such discovery and adventure.  Puybaret’s illustrations continue this tone as we venture underwater visually.  There is a whimsy about them, a playfulness that was also part of Cousteau’s own work.  And again there is the sense of wonder that matches the text so well.

Recommended as a great biography for elementary students.  This could be used in science classes about the environment or when studying different habitats.  It should also be given to those children who shun picture books in favor of nonfiction, because it is a lovely blending of the two.