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A delightful tale about a little girl discovering the wonders of the ocean with her grandfather.
Discover an ocean of Black History with Imani!
Imani doesn’t like sharks.
They have big mouths, filled with big teeth, perfect for eating small children like her.
But when Grandpapa takes Imani to the aquarium, she learns about marine biologists and scuba divers – clever people who study and swim with sharks!
As Imani discovers the treasures of the deep, she realizes that the ocean is not always a scary place.
And it turns out the seabed holds other secrets too...
This fun educational read is filled with pioneering African Americans who are sure to inspire the next generation of marine biologists from all over the world.
Imani’s story allows parents and caregivers to have important conversations with young readers about difficult aspects of history in a child-friendly, age-appropriate context
Oh, my heart. This book. This is one of those rare gems you uncover that surprises you in the absolute best way. At first glance this may look like a normal children's book about a little girl's adventure at an aquarium, but it is so much more than that.
This story was spectacular and I loved every moment of my time reading it. From the second I opened the cover to the point I put it down, I kept thinking about how excited I was to have the chance to read and review it.
Imani is a little Black girl who is exploring the local aquarium for the first time with her Grandfather. She is unsure of all the different underwater creatures, especially the sharks. With patience and a clear respect for the ocean, Grandfather explains that the ocean is an amazing place. He calms her fears of sharks by sharing interesting facts about how unique they are. He understands that the more you know about something, the less you fear it. When Imani sees a scuba diver in the whale shark tank, her interest is piqued. Grandpa uses the opportunity to talk about marine biology and some of the amazing black women who have become renowned in that field. He also shares with her the story of the very first black woman to become a certified scuba diver in 1965. The book takes a more somber tone as Grandpa shows Imani the shipwreck exhibits. He explains to her the plight of their ancestors, taken from their homes and sold into slavery, and that even through his childhood, black people did not have a good relationship with water. He sadly shares that he is not a good swimmer because when he was a little boy, black children were not allowed to swim in the same pools as white children and there were no pools for black people nearby. Imani and Grandpa share a tender moment and Imani knows that someday she wants to be a marine biologist herself. Grandpa of course, already knows she can do anything she sets her mind to.
At the end, the author has included a resources page to help connect families to marine sciences. There are locations of aquariums, museums, and websites that share history, swim lesson locations and research articles. This was an amazing addition to help take the fictional story and make it a reality for families and children. This book was exceptional, from the message to the illustrations and the content of the text itself.
All too often, girls are steered away from careers in the sciences, black girls even more so. They face tremendous obstacles in getting careers in that field. This book helps educate young girls to the amazing women who have made an impact in marine sciences fields and show them that they too can one day become a scientist or work at a job somehow connected to the ocean. The representation of a young black girl as a main character is a fantastic way to share with all students that dreams have no skin color, while reminding us about the truths of the past so we can make sure they never happen again.
Absolutely a must read.
Reviewed by
Daniele's travels have taken her around the world and back again, but her favorite adventures will always be found between the covers of a good book. Daniele loves all things Outlander and Disney and can't grow a garden to save her life.
Synopsis
Discover an ocean of Black History with Imani!
Imani doesn’t like sharks.
They have big mouths, filled with big teeth, perfect for eating small children like her.
But when Grandpapa takes Imani to the aquarium, she learns about marine biologists and scuba divers – clever people who study and swim with sharks!
As Imani discovers the treasures of the deep, she realizes that the ocean is not always a scary place.
And it turns out the seabed holds other secrets too...
This fun educational read is filled with pioneering African Americans who are sure to inspire the next generation of marine biologists from all over the world.
Imani’s story allows parents and caregivers to have important conversations with young readers about difficult aspects of history in a child-friendly, age-appropriate context
About the author
A government analyst and a Navy veteran who takes pride in her experience. and the Navy core values of “Honor, Courage, and Commitment.” She believes in work-life balance and is a certified master diver. She writes as a form of therapy and to share her experiences with others. view profile
Published on November 23, 2021
0-1000 words
Worked with a Reedsy professional 🏆
Genre: Picture Books
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