Saving American Beach: The Biography of African American Environmentalist MaVynee Betsch

In her picture book debut, King profiles MaVynee Betsch (1935–2005), a Black opera singer who devoted herself to maintaining American Beach, which her great-grandfather bought during the Jim Crow era to make “open to everyone.” When her mother falls ill, Betsch returns to Florida and, remembering the deteriorated beach’s better days, sets out to protect it, protesting the construction of condos by living there, writing letters to lawmakers, and petitioning the president. King crafts musical prose, skillfully connecting Betsch’s musical career with her love of the beach (“ ‘Brava!’ they cried... whipping velvet curtains into rippling waves”). Caldecott Honoree Holmes’s art, rendered in acrylic and collage, incorporates patterns created from handmade stencils and stamps, resulting in richly multilayered illustrations. A moving portrayal of a little-known preservationist. Back matter includes an author’s and illustrator’s note. Ages 4–8. [em](Apr.) [/em]