Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau



Last updated Thursday, June 5, 2014

Author: Jennifer Berne
Date of Publication: 2008
ISBN: 0811860639
Grade Level: 2nd    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Jun. 2014

Synopsis: Before Jacques Cousteau became an internationally known oceanographer and champion of the seas, he was a curious little boy. In this lovely biography, poetic text and gorgeous paintings combine to create a portrait of Jacques Cousteau that is as magical as it is inspiring.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  What is a manfish?

Vocabulary:
•  blueprint - a photographic print that shows how something (such as a building) will be made; a detailed plan of how to do something
•  villain - a character in a story, movie, etc., who does bad things

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Would you like to learn to dive in the ocean?
•  What kinds of marine life have you seen at the beach?
•  What did Jacques Cousteau teach people about the ocean?

Craft ideas:
•  Draw a picture with city buildings on the top half & underwater marine life on the bottom half.
•  Make a scuba mask out of a paper plate (see sample):
•  Step 1: Trace the circular shape of the paper plate on a piece of construction paper with a pen or pencil.
•  Step 2: Cut the construction paper into the circle that you traced.
•  Step 3: Draw your face on the circular piece of construction paper that you cut out. Please be as creative as you want!
•  Step 4: Cut out the circle that is on the inner part of the paper plate so that you only have the border of the plate with the rugged edges on it.
•  Step 5: Glue the front part of the paper plate on top of the circular piece of construction paper that has the drawing of your face on it. Make sure that the paper plate is glued on so that you can see the drawing of your face through the hole that you cut out!

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!