I have read a few things about Kate Moore, but ironically, they were not as “deep” as this picture book. They might have had more story, but they did not have the emotion of this Anna Crowley Redding tale.
Courage Like Kate: The True Story of a Girl Lighthouse Keeper will come out summer of 2022. And you must preorder you copy today at your favorite independent bookstore (or you are welcomed to borrow mine if you do not have one). This illustrated by Emily Sutton book, covers how a five-year-old child made a little island see a hurricane on land. It covers how a twelve-year-old became an unofficial lighthouse keeper not only tending to every day needs of the lighthouse but rescuing sailors (total count by the end of her tenure would be 23) who had shipwrecked. It covers how blizzards, tides and extreme cold could not stop Kate.
We enter 19th century Connecticut and see a woman who did things no woman was “supposed” to do. We see a person who had to fight to keep her position (and win, making her the first official female lighthouse keeper of Fayerweather Island at age 47). This picture book not only shows women being inspiring but how women’s history was made. It also shows how maritime history was created.
And Sutton’s illustrations need to be mentioned. I want to say, DANG! They are fun. But that does not explain them. They are realistic, but not “real” look to them, and have a watercolor painting to them. Not overly fancy, they have a lot going on. They are not overly colorful, but not uncolorful either. They fit the tone and support the atmosphere of the character.
Best for older listeners, this book can be an all-ages book. And while it might turn off a few first or second grade readers because of the picture book format, it could go as high as that
