“With illustrations and text fully grounded in research, including, welcome historical details and photographs that appear in the back matter, this book is heartily recommended for elementary nonfiction collections.”

“Baddeley’s colorful illustrations create an upbeat tone, and the underwater scenes are the particularly effective. Showing respect for the line between fact and storytelling, the straightforward narrative delivers information about Bleibtrey’s life while designating the occasional fictionalized words or comments with italics or by placement within speech balloons. This picture-book biography celebrates a little-known American athlete.”

“This compelling story makes full use of the illustrations. The blues and greens of the water reflect both depth and movement and the shift in Ethelda’s life from stillness to freedom. The illustrator’s use of line is particularly effective, showing Ethelda moving through water and space. Readers will love reading about this gutsy woman.”