Shark Lady:
The True Story of the Ocean’s Most Fearless Scientist

Shark Lady

Shark Lady is a children's picture book biography about Eugenie Clark, a pioneering marine biologist known as "The Shark Lady". The book tells the true story of how Clark overcame gender barriers to become a world-renowned expert on sharks and fish.

Key points about the book:

  • Eugenie Clark fell in love with sharks as a child visiting the New York Aquarium. She studied zoology and became one of the first women to work in the male-dominated field of marine biology.
  • Clark made many important discoveries about sharks, including that some species don't have to swim continuously to breathe. She proved sharks are intelligent and worked to change public perception of them as mindless killers.
  • The book highlights how Clark dared to dive, defy expectations, discover new species, and inspire others through her groundbreaking research and advocacy for marine conservation.
  • Shark Lady is an inspiring story about a courageous woman who followed her passion for science and the ocean. It aims to teach children that women can achieve great things in STEM fields.
  • The book is beautifully illustrated and includes a timeline of Clark's life and career. It has been praised as an engaging and informative read for young audiences interested in science, nature, and biographies of pioneering women.

Author: Jess Keating

Jess is an accomplished author and zoologist known for her engaging children's books that focus on the natural world. With a passion for animals and "goofy animal facts," she aims to inspire curiosity and a love for science in young readers. Keating has written both fiction and non-fiction, with her notable work including Shark Lady: The True Story of How Eugenie Clark Became the Ocean's Most Fearless Scientist, which highlights the life and achievements of marine biologist Eugenie Clark. In addition to her writing, she has developed educational resources like "The Curious Creative," a magazine designed to engage children with science and creativity. Keating's work emphasizes the importance of making learning fun and accessible, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Book Details:

  • Publisher: Sourcebooks Explore
  • Format: Hardback
  • Print length: 40 pages
  • Dimensions: 26.04 x 0.89 x 26.04 cm
  • Reading age: 4-8 years old
  • Publication date: 6 Jun. 2017
  • ISBN: 978-1492642046

Read alongside these topics:

What inspired Eugenie Clark to become a shark researcher?

Author: Jess Keating

Eugenie Clark's fascination with sharks began at a young age when she first visited the New York Aquarium at Battery Park. As a child, she would press her face against the glass of the shark tank and imagine swimming in the ocean surrounded by these mysterious creatures.

Clark returned to the aquarium every Saturday, captivated by the marine animals. She spent her childhood reading and writing about sharks, and even joined the Queens County Aquarium Society as its youngest member. Her mother encouraged her passion by gifting her a small aquarium that made her apartment feel like the ocean.

Clark's childhood hero was the famed naturalist William Beebe, who explored the ocean. From a young age, she dreamed of following in his footsteps and becoming an ocean explorer like him. This early fascination with the ocean and its creatures, especially sharks, inspired Clark to dedicate her life to studying them.

Despite facing skepticism from male professors who didn't believe women could become great scientists, Clark pursued her passion. She earned degrees in zoology and went on to become a pioneering marine biologist known as the "Shark Lady". Her groundbreaking research and advocacy helped change public perception of sharks and promote marine conservation.

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