This nonfiction picture book shares the research story of Maude Delap and her experiments and observations of jellyfish. Her observations and ability to grow jellyfish in her lab allowed her to document the life cycle from larva to compass jellyfish. This work from 1899-1900 laid the foundation for research that is currently taking place.

A great STEM biography to share, showing the accomplishments of women throughout history.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

A book about Maude Delap and her studies into the life cycle of jellyfish over 125 years ago.
Using a distinct illustration style with a pleasing use of muted and complimentary colors, the book primarily uses its pictures to tell the story and the words to complement them. The result is a narrative that leaves descriptions up to the reader, underscoring the concept of scientific observation. There's also the sense of history in the making as Maude observes, sketches and documents her observations of the jellyfish life cycle - something that, at that time, had never been done before. The book makes you feel as if you were there, with Maude, experiencing and observing what she did, and going through trial and error.
Though I found Maude's story interesting, I wanted to learn more about what she was able to do with what she had studied and accomplished. I would have loved to have the supplemental information at the end of the book about her life added to the story and also illustrated. I also would have loved a page or two (illustrated) that covered the information in the "about jellyfish" section. However, the information is there, and we did read it.

I had never heard of the self-taught Irish marine biologist Maude Delap (1866-1953) before encountering this children’s picture book. Delap is the first person to have bred jellyfish in captivity. The book focuses on her collecting a compass jelly and its tiny immature offspring in the North Atlantic waters off the coast of Valentia Island and studying the life cycle of the creatures.

This is an attractive picture book overall. The art by Ellen Rooney is certainly pretty. Unfortunately it lacks authentic, historical detail. I’m doubtful Delap’s laboratory, known as “the Department,” was as bright and tidy as it is presented here. The text by Michelle Cusolito is serviceable, presenting the basic facts about how Delap determinedly and observantly went about her work: paddling out into the North Atlantic waters in a currach, scooping up a medusa (adult jelly) and babies (free-swimming “planulae larvae”), then caring for and watching them over many months as the immature creatures developed into ephyrae, pinhead-sized jellyfish. In the end, only one mature creature—medusa—remained, having cannibalized the other five it swam with (as well as consuming large numbers of the other preferred jellyfish which Maude fetched for it). The creature eventually grew to nine inches.

While the work is informative, I feel that it would have better served its young audience with more explanatory detail in the text proper. Further facts are provided in notes that conclude the book, but I believe zoological terms—such as larvae and polyp—ought to be clarified as they are introduced. A few descriptive details about the sea creatures the compass jellies fed on—the clapper jellyfish, sea gooseberries, and arrow worms—would also have been welcome. Illustrations of them would’ve worked equally well. There’s confusion at times: for example, the word “bell” is used at one point, but it’s unclear if the author is referring to the umbrella of the captured jellyfish or the inverted water-filled bell jar in which the scientist houses the creature.

I was also disappointed that the author failed to provide good basic biographical detail about Maude in the actual narrative—how she came to be interested in jellyfish at all and what motivated her to engage in her unusual scientific studies. We’re only told that she did not attend school because she was expected to become a wife and mother but ended up doing neither. It’s true that some information is given in the author’s note, but incorporating it into the narrative itself would have been enriching: Maude would have come more alive on the page.

As an adult, I learned quite a bit from the book, but some of that learning was a result of looking up and clarifying particulars for myself. The text might interest some older scientifically inclined children. Alternatively, a parent or teacher might share, discuss, and elaborate on the information while reading it aloud. I liked the book well enough but, in the end, feel the author missed opportunities. Along with my other quibbles, I’ll add that there’s a kind of flatness to the telling.

This picture book beautifully highlights Delap - an extraordinary woman who was ahead of her time - and her dedication, perseverance, and defiance of societal expectations.


Meet self-taught, trailblazing marine biologist Maude Delap (1866-1953), the first person to breed a jellyfish in captivity and observe its complete lifecycle. Her perseverance, tenacity, and hard work come to life in this captivating picture book. Delap's pioneering work is presented through engaging journal entries, perfect for young readers. The vintage-inspired illustrations are both soothing and visually striking, enhancing the story's historical setting. A must-read for inspiring young minds! Highly recommended.

Delightful story about the first person to trace the lufe cycle of jellyfish. Pictures are lovely for both a child and her reader. Maude Delap was not encouraged to observe scientifically, but she raised a jellyfish and observed how it reproduces---new information for me, and , I suspect, many others.

At the turn of the twentieth century little was known about jellyfish. Maude Delap had no formal training, but she had made herself an expert on the marine life of her Irish island home and had the skills, determination, and patience to attempt the challenging task of raising jellyfish through
a complete life cycle. Narrated in the present tense, short, dated excerpts describe Maude’s scientific process for gathering, nurturing, and observing jellyfish’s fascinating transformations. Rooney’s translucent, layered gouache paintings in harmonious browns, greens, and blues incorporate textured backgrounds and painted cut-paper collage. Imperative text and strategic use of cursive font remind readers of the active nature of biological observation and the importance of written observations. Educators and science-minded kids will welcome this superb account of a ground-breaking citizen scientist and her important contributions. Back matter includes author and illustrator notes that add scientific and biographical details and informally noted sources. Additional reading is included. Delap is white. Review based on an ARC. Thanks to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for a review copy in return for an unbiased review.

I enjoyed learning about Maude Delap and Jellyfish in this book. Beautifully illustrated and intriguing. The book made me want to learn more about Delap and also Jellyfish. Interesting idea for a book.

Netgalley ARC - This is a fantastic non-fiction picture book that highlights the dedication behind scientific observation while teaching about the life cycle of jellyfish :)

The only reason Maude can be a scientist is because she was single and childless. In her time, she was expected to get married and depend on a man, and when she was invited to study because of her accomplishments, her father said no, even though she was 40.
But Maude was clever, patient, and curious, and she did her own experiments where she learned more about jellyfish than even other scientists of the time.
This is a simple children's book with cute pictures but it tells a powerful story. This could be highly motivating to any kid who wants to figure out more about the world.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

A beautiful and accurate picture book that not only will intrigue young readers with a look into the life cycle of jellyfish but inspires scientific curiosity. A lovely and inspiring book. The pictures are of high quality and beautiful.

A fascinating look at the beginnings of raising jellyfish indoors. Our local aquarium keeps jellies, but to think that this woman kept at it to figure out their life cycle and explain it to the scientific community that she wasn't fully allowed to participate in, is kind of incredible. It's a look at science and life at a different time. I'm glad we've come so far, but this book will help young scientists understand the beginnings of one part of that science.

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

What an amazing story! Not only Maude's persistence but the life-cycle of a jellyfish are fascinating. I loved the illustrations and the dairy entry pages.

Fascinating and well-written. The illustrations worked well with the subject. This will appealing to kids interested in science and marine biology.

This book was excellent!

I thought that the book was fascinating, it was a great introduction to Maude Delap and her scientific discovery - Her Mesmerizing Medusas! Maude was the first scientist that observed the entire life cycle of a jellyfish in captivity and her story is inspirational.

After reading the book, I went on to Google and found out more about Maude and her discovery. I love the natural world and I loved the dedication from Maude, especially considering the time that she was living in - it really was a different time back then.

The wonderful illustrations in the book do help to bring the book to life. The life cycle is also shown which is a great touch as you can look back to this when you read Maude's story.

It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!

Mesmerising. The writing is so immersive, I felt that I was there, with Maude, observing the jellyfish she had scooped out of the water. Observing, with her, for over year, I learned, as she learned, about the life cycle of jellyfish, something that other scientists during that time had failed to do.
I love how the author, Cusolito tells of Maude's unheard tale to her young readers. It is with deftness and a certain reverence, the manner in which she delicately tells us of how much care Maude took of the jellyfish in her captivity. It doesn't come across as cold and calculating, even though it is, but that is the trick of using certain words to evoke curiosity and respect.
The illustrations remind me of those cut and paste drawings, like pieces of the very puzzle Maude is, as we try to figure out what made Maude want to study jellyfish in the first place. Something that is not explored in this book, which is fine, I guess given that this is book for children 7-10 years old.

I would recommend this book to everyone. It tells the wonderfully inspiring tale of a woman scientist, who lived in Valentia Island, and saw jellyfish, floating on the surface of the sea.
Her research on compass jellyfish, which set the foundation for research for this day must be told, heard, and read by everyone, young and old.

thank you Netgalley for this ARC.

Thank you so to Charlesbridge and Netgalley for the digital arc.
Fascinating biography of self educated marine animal scientist, Maud Delap (1866-1953) of Valentia Island, Ireland. Born in an era when women had few choices beyond marriage and children, inquisitive Maude followed her heart and recorded the life cycle of a jellyfish in order to understand the creature’s metamorphosis from larva to adult. No other scientist had been able to to so, but Maude succeeded. She published scientific papers in her own name, and became and associate fellow in the Linnaean Society, an exclusive scientific group in London that historically admitted only men. Biography is told in diary format and is accompanied by illustrations which record the development of the jellyfish from eggs to medusa. Excellent back matter. Definitely a book to share with anyone, young or old, interested in ocean life, scientists, and trial and error in the scientific process.
#JellyfishScientistMaudeDelapandHerMesmerizingMedusas #NetGalley

We LOVE a gorgeous non-fiction picture book in this house! Anything that keeps the kids engaged while sneaking in some learning is a huge win here and this book did not disappoint. My ocean loving 7yo loved learning about Maude Delap (a real life person who studied ocean critters- his dream!) and spent lots of time studying the illustrations of the jellyfish. My younger 2 enjoyed the read aloud as well. Definitely will be looking to purchase this in hardcover for our collection!

This children’s biography sheds light on an intriguing woman – Maude Delap – who became an expert in the marine life on Valentia Island.

Maude Delap (1866-1953) was fascinated with the life history of jellyfish. Her goal was to raise one in captivity so she could study it closer. Off the coast of Ireland, she picked larvae and placed it in a jar. She observed the larvae which became polyps, and sketched the changes. She patiently nurtured them and captured the magic of pinhead-sized jellyfish pop. She determined what to feed them with by trying variety of animals.

Maude was the first person to raise a jellyfish in captivity. Armed with this knowledge, she began her next experiment of collecting a blue jellyfish.

This short biography is written with fun language and is supported with charming illustrations. It sheds light on a woman who didn’t have an education as it was expected of women of her time to get married and have children. She didn’t get married. Instead, she dedicated her life to studying what she called jellyfish which scientist call sea jellies.

She shared her findings with a scientist in London named Edward T. Browne. She was acknowledged by scientists and respected by them despite not having the education they had.

What a wonderful book about Maude Delap and her study of jellyfish. This book will be a great science reference text for upper elementary students.

Learn about Maude Delap and her observation and discoveries about jellyfish. In this book we learn about the life cycle of the jellyfish and how Maude goes about observing one species of jellyfish over a year. A beautifully illustrated book with more details about the Maude's life at the end of the book. Suitable for public libraries or for incorporation into classes looking at the life cycle of ocean animals.