My favorite part of the story of Virginia Oliver is not that she was 102 (now 103) years-old and still lobstering during the course of the book. Nor was it about her colorful life. And it was not even that she had to have seven stitches in her finger after being bitten by a crab (wonder how many the crab got!). Nope, it was that she put on her lipstick and earrings to go out fishing for lobsters.
Now that’s a Lady!
Alexandra S. D. Hinrichs did not write a true biography, but hit on the highlights of a woman born in 1920 and who would show the world that an island girl could play, work and own a lobster boat, and be as hard as any man, in The Lobster Lady. She would raise a family, lose her mother at a young age, and she would be, and still is, respected by her peers. And when a doctor looked at her lipstick and earrings, and asked her why she was out there, she replied because she wanted to. Jamie Hogan’s illustrations are classically done, with the hint of the time Ginny (to her closest friends) was growing up. Of course, they are also modern enough to keep the attention of today’s readers. Most likely best for ages five and up, this is good for most ages. The afterwards is just as fun as the story itself.
Read as an online reader copy, this book is currently available. Though due to the recent events surrounding the celebration of her 103rd birthday, you might want to rush out and grab a copy of two. Great for the classroom or personal library.