Annette Feels Free
The True Story of Annette Kellerman, World-Class Swimmer, Fashion Pioneer, and Real-Life Mermaid
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
Discover the incredible true story of “The Original Mermaid,” Annette Kellerman, a girl who wanted to dance, swim, and feel free—and who grew into a woman who fought for the right to do just that!
Annette loved to dance and twirl and pirouette. But when she got sick and had to start wearing braces on her legs, Annette stopped dancing. Until, one day, her dad took her swimming. Annette could finally dance again—in the water! She water danced her way to England, where she performed water ballets, attempted daring dives, and competed in swim races. When she competed against men (and won!), she realized it wasn’t fair that women had to swim in full skirts, so she made her own swimsuit, and fought for the right to wear it.
Experience the journey of an independent and determined young woman, who swam, danced, dove, and designed so she could live her life feeling free.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Using freedom as a through line, Mazeika follows the life of Australian swimmer Annette Kellerman (1886–1975), "the original mermaid," who made a splash internationally, completing record-breaking swims, performing artistic underwater dances, and creating the first form-fitting women's bathing costume. Frustrated by the leg braces she wears as a child, Kellerman finds independence in swimming, as an adult acquiring a long list of accomplishments, including swimming the English Channel and winning a legal argument that women should be allowed to swim unencumbered by pantaloons and skirts. Painterly digital renderings showcase their subject's comfort in water, whether at the beach or elsewhere. Throughout, spectators' awe-struck expressions while watching "the Diving Venus" encapsulate her achievements. Further info, an author's note, and sources close. Ages up to 8.
