Annette Feels Free: The True Story of Annette Kellerman, World-Class Swimmer, Fashion Pioneer, and Real-Life Mermaid/

Using freedom as a through line, Mazeika follows the life of Australian swimmer Annette Kellerman (1886–1975), “the original mermaid,” who made a splash internationally, completing record-breaking swims, performing artistic underwater dances, and creating the first form-fitting women’s bathing costume. Frustrated by the leg braces she wears as a child, Kellerman finds independence in swimming, as an adult acquiring a long list of accomplishments, including swimming the English Channel and winning a legal argument that women should be allowed to swim unencumbered by pantaloons and skirts. Painterly digital renderings showcase their subject’s comfort in water, whether at the beach or elsewhere. Throughout, spectators’ awe-struck expressions while watching “the Diving Venus” encapsulate her achievements. Further info, an author’s note, and sources close. Ages up to 8. (Sept.)