In another life I was a “go to” newspaper reporter writing about Florida environmental issues including Florida manatees. Every year, count on it, editors wanted a story when manatee mortality figures were released – the whys, who or what shared the blame and reactions from all sides.
Expect another story for a statewide manatee count – are the big gentle creatures up or down in numbers? What do the statistics mean? And I showed up for public hearings on manatee no wake zones. The hearings were often contentious. Editors loved it.
Captive manatee at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Photo by Lucy Beebe Tobias
Somewhere during this battlefield coverage I spent a day at Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, hanging out with the manatees topside while they were fed. Later going below, walking down the stairs into the Fishbowl and seeing them undulate those big paddle tails.
The gentle giants glided past the Fishbowl windows, their movements infused with languid grace. Clearly they’d mastered the art of slow living.
I envied them.
Manatees Inspire a Children’s Story about Mary Margaret Manatee
Underwater view of manatees at the Fishbowl. Photo by Lucy Beebe Tobias
And I shared that visit with my Swimming Sisters – Jude, Pame and Joanie. We carpooled three times a week at 5:30 a.m. I’m not making this up. We got up this early to swim laps at the College of Central Florida pool.
Yes, it was crazy but we did it anyway, even sitting in a driveway if someone whined they were not ready. We would not leave until they were ready. Tough love.
Taking a lap break, sometimes we’d talk about manatees. After a while we even saw manatee shapes in the clouds. As we swam laps, Mary Margaret Manatee was born. Of course there were jokes she must be a GOOD catholic manatee with a name like that. Who else would name a girl Mary Margaret? We swam on. And Mary Margaret evolved.
A swim meet came up. It was an unknown for some of us, old hat for others. We entered as a team and did a relay. I still have the photo of all of us afterwards, radiant smiles, arms linked, standing with Coach Bill Vargo. We persisted and did something difficult that ended up being fun.
Mary Margaret’s story mirrors our story – how we can be diverse and different yet come together as a team and learn about friendship and teamwork.
The first drawings for Mary Margaret Manatee, and first story line, were done in 2007 (after my first book 50 Great Walks in Florida was finished and sent off to University Press of Florida).
I’m grateful the artist within got to come out and play (swim?) for the first time with this children’s book. The illustrations are all collages, a combination of photographs plus original watercolor paintings.
Now the finished book, many illustrations and story lines later, debuts on Monday, Sept. 9 poolside at College of Central Florida. You are invited to attend.
It comes as no surprise that my first children’s book: Mary Margaret Manatee: the Adventures of a Young Florida Manatee is dedicated to the Swimming Sisters.
But first, Mary Margaret sat in a blue folder on my computer desktop for six years, sidelined. Along the way I wrote a couple of other books.
In 2007 I went to a weeklong SCBWI conference (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). Total immersion. Stayed in a dorm room in Portland, Oregon. We were asked to turn off phones and watch no TV. Hanging out with people who imagine the wonderful worlds of children’s books was exhilarating. I didn’t want to leave.
But intimidating too – these people were awesome, really good. Then along comes this travel writer, this newspaper reporter . . .you get the gist.
Once again Mary Margret went back and sat in the blue folder until another class in 2011, this a one-day event for children’s illustrators led by Jennifer Houdeshell in DeLand, Florida. Out Mary Margaret came, both illustrations and story. They loved her. Class members said: What are you waiting for? Make her swim wild and free.
Mary Margaret Manatee. Original illustration by Lucy Beebe Tobias
That positive reinforcement kicked Mary Margaret into high gear.
I confess the research for every character and mood was satisfying, so was drawing day after day, setting up a work station for just Mary Margaret, dipping the brushes in watercolor, eyeing the photos taken on trips to manatee places. Imagine saying “I’m going to work now” and that work is a palette of colors, wet brushes and watercolor paper. It is a tough job but somebody has to do the illustrations.
Here are the first lines of her story:
“Mary Margaret Manatee lived in a river that ran to the sea.
She liked to glide on her back,
Do barrel rolls,
And stand on her tail.”
When you open the book and see the first drawing of her swimming in the water, smiling with her lovely eyelashes, I want you to know (hope this confession doesn’t take away the magic) that she didn’t appear like that until after two weeks of making watercolor studies over and over again. Then, one morning, there she was, followed in time by Billy Blue Heron, Oliver the Otter, Rocky Raccoon and all her other river friends.
Mary Margaret’s river friends. Illustration by Lucy Beebe Tobias
Enjoy every page.
P.S. Mary Margaret Manatee is a 38-page soft cover book for young readers and their families. The story is easy to read for 4-8 year olds, while the study guide is actually geared for 8-12 year olds. And grandparents like this book a lot. There are projects to do and things to learn about the web of life that goes beyond the river.
BUY THE BOOK
On Amazon Mary Margaret Manatee is available as a print book or an e book
On Barnes & Noble Mary Margaret Manatee is available as a print book
BOOK EVENTS
What: Book launch of Mary Margaret Manatee, a Florida children’s book for the whole family written and illustrated by Lucy Beebe Tobias www.lucytobias.com This event is free. Refreshments will be served.
When: Monday, September 9, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: On the deck at Newton A. Perry Aquatic Center, College of Central Florida, 3001 SW College Road, Ocala, Florida (next to the tennis courts)
Who: Author Lucy Beebe Tobias will read and sign books. Matt Manatee from the Star Banner will greet visitors at 11 a.m. and help read the story of Mary Margaret Manatee.
SEPTEMBER IS LITERACY MONTH AT DELEON SPRINGS STATE PARK
De Leon Springs State Park
Date: September 21, 2013, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Description:
The Friends of Deleon Springs State Park will be hosting the second annual “Read Among The Trees”. This celebration of literacy is designed to entice and excite readers of all ages. Visitors will receive one free book or magazine ( or they can bring one item to swap). All Children can take part in the Visitor Center Scavenger hunt and the special give away drawings. Come meet author Lucy Tobias, a member of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association who is passionate about Florida’s natural Gifts. At 11:00 a.m. Ms. Tobias will present excerpts and insights from her book Florida Gardens Gone Wild. Children are invited to gather at 1:30 p.m to hear Assistant Park Manager David Garcia read Ms. Tobias’s newest book Mary Margaret Manatee. Join the adventure that reading can bring with the beatiful Spring and majestic oaks as a backdrop!
The Park’s goal is to provide access to the event for people of all abilities. If you have special needs, please contact the park by phone before your arrival. (386) 985-4212.
Fees: Regular park entry fees apply.
Contact: Friends of DeLeon Springs State Park
Directions:
- De Leon Springs is located at the corner of Ponce de Leon and Burt Parks Road, west of U.S. 17.
- Take US Hwy 17 North from Deland for approximately six miles, following the state park signs. Turn left onto Ponce De Leon Boulevard and travel approximately one mile to the entrance to De Leon Springs State Park.
Saturday, Oct. 5 – 10-3
second annual Sarasota Book Fair at Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Local writers and illustrators including Lucy Beebe Tobias. Books for all ages, children, tweens, teen and adults.
More to Explore
In focus: welcome to Punta Gorda