Age range 5 to 9

From the team that created One Step at a Time, a CBCA Honour Book, and Papa Sky, a CBCA notable book.

Mama Ocean had eyes that sparkled, like sunlight on the sea, and tresses which tumbled and trailed through the tides.

But something is troubling Mama Ocean. Who will help her?

'From Jane Jolly and Sally Heinrich, creators of One Step at a Time and Papa Sky, comes Mama Ocean, a picture bookabout the sparkling ruler of the seas, with tresses that trail and tumblethrough emerald tides. As Mama sickens, in order to restore her as jewel of theocean once more, her children of the sea must realise the correlation betweentheir 'gifts'-found bobbing in the water - and her increasing suffocation.Jolly's sweeping language is as poetic as the entrancing waves of Heinrich'sillustrations. The alliteration, descriptive terms and short, snappy sentencesenhance the visuals, the words literally bending and swirling among thestriking pictures. The fluidity of the ocean is evoked with curling lines andwatercolour, with bright oranges, yellows and reds that contrast with theemerald backdrop, which slowly greys as the rubbish thickens and Mama Oceanbecomes more ill. This is an enlightening story with a strong environmentalmessage about the impact of litter on our ocean's ecosystem, encapsulatedwithin a mesmerising visual presentation. MamaOcean's important message is conveyed with a charm and playfulnessthat will encourage sustainability practice in pre- and primary school children.' - Romi Sharp, Books+Publishing