The Aquanaut

Cave diving aquanaut and underwater photographer Heinerth pens this picture book autobiography, which juxtaposes her childhood dreams with her adult achievements. As a child limited by fear and lack of agency, Heinerth supplemented with her “big imagination.” “I wanted to float/ through space and see the moon up close” reads one spread, as little Jill stares up at a moon pendant. The next spread shows adult Jill, equipped with diving gear, swimming among a luminous bloom of moon jellyfish. The parallel continues throughout, while light-filled watercolor and digital illustrations by Kim conjure actual locations from Heinerth’s photographs. Back matter includes an author’s note with the aforementioned photos. Ages 3–7. [em](Jan.) [/em]