The New Ocean: The Fate of Life in a Changing Sea

Gr 4–6—An engaging presentation from Barnard, who reveals the devastating effects of ocean warming, carbon dioxide absorption, pollution, and overfishing on the earth's waters and the resulting decline of many aquatic species. The author focuses on six different creatures (jellyfish, killer whales, sea turtles, tuna, corals, and blue-green algae) to first paint a picture of the incredible diversity of the oceans and then impress upon readers how humans are disrupting this fragile ecosystem (plastic bags eaten by turtles, coral bleaching). The large illustrations, done in oil on canvas, are rich with deep blues and are often mesmerizing. While the picture book format may signal a younger audience, the text is quite advanced. An opening map, "An Ocean of Plastic," identifies currents and garbage patches, and a closing map, "Hot, Acidic, and Bleached," tracks levels of coral bleaching worldwide—both are fascinating.