Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS Up--Weatherford uses her prodigious poetic talents to inspire wonder and to teach readers about jellyfish. The facts she shares are fascinating (no heart, no brain, no blood, and no bones), but her poems also capture how people feel around jellyfish (from calm contemplation to fear). No narrative connects the 14 poems. Rather, every one appears as a spread, with the poem on one side of the page and acrylic gouache artwork across both pages. The artwork changes to capture the mood and subject of the specific poem: sometimes the art is whimsical, sometimes wholly scientific, and sometimes it pays homage to earlier artist styles or children's books. For example, when text reveals the unusual common names of jellyfish, detailed, colorful drawings appear on graph paper, but when there are facts about Japanese folklore relating to jellyfish, the artwork is reminiscent of Hokusai. In one spread, readers will feel as if they are safely enclosed underwater looking out at the glowing jellyfish gliding by, confirming that writing and art are beautifully in sync. The end papers contain an extensive bibliography and websites for curious readers to explore further. VERDICT A necessary purchase, this glorious collaboration between author and illustrator brings the world of jellyfish to unforgettable life.--Sally James
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
This inspiring meditation on ancient ocean dwellers combines scientific rigor with poetic wonder. Weatherford's 14 lyrical verses illuminate jellyfish from multiple angles--biological, mythological, historical--transforming facts into language that pulses with rhythm. The text moves fluidly between dramatic declarations and quiet observations, mirroring the jellies' own graceful movements. Readers learn that these brainless, spineless marvels predate dinosaurs by eons, that certain species glow with bioluminescence, and that some carry lethal venom while others drift harmlessly. Ibatoulline's extraordinary mixed-media illustrations shift styles throughout, showcasing the book's remarkable range. Luminous blue spreads capture jellies suspended in water, their translucent forms popping against the deep ocean darkness, the cool colors and vertical lines creating serene, hypnotic movement. Pages that look as though they're from a scientific notebook filled with detailed anatomical sketches ground the work in natural history. Graphic panels depicting a jellyfish stinging a young diver use sharp diagonals and bold typography to convey danger and urgency. A scene of silhouetted figures observing aquarium tanks relies on negative space and scale, underscoring the beauty and awe of this "slow-motion water ballet." The seamless integration of varied artistic approaches--from naturalistic painting to technical illustration--makes each spread feel distinct yet cohesive; this thought-provoking marriage of art and science celebrates both knowledge and mystery. An imaginative triumph as mesmerizing as the creatures it portrays. (bibliography, websites)(Informational picture book/poetry. 6-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
