The Ocean Gardener

K-Gr 3–In the middle of the vast ocean, a tiny island is surrounded by colorful coral and fish in a beautiful landscape hidden beneath the waves. Ayla loves exploring the reef with her mother, who happens to be a marine biologist. When the reef begins to change and the fish all leave to find a new place to live, Ayla and her mother step in as ocean gardeners. Together, they patiently reconstruct the reef in an effort to invite the fish to return home once again. Though fiction, this is an accessible introduction to some of the very real conservation efforts taking place in coral reefs all over the world. Inspired by the author’s own experience, this tale discusses many of the changes scientists have observed as a result of climate change. Poetic, heartfelt text explains Ayla’s actions in a way young readers can understand, and while most of the words appear in a traditional style, they are sometimes found incorporated into the illustrations, as well. Beautiful images immediately draw readers into the story, depicting island life from a variety of angles and distances while using color and detail to bring Ayla’s world to life. At the end, information can be found about the science behind the story as well as resources for further learning and investigation.