The New Ocean

Starred review from March 20, 2017
In a book that’s part compendium of fascinating ocean facts, part wake-up call, Barnard (The Genius of Islam) sounds a warning bell for the world’s seas. After an introduction that discusses the rise of overfishing, global warming, and ocean pollution, the narrative turns to six sea-dwelling creatures (blue-green algae, coral, jellyfish, orcas, sea turtles, and tuna), speculating how each might fare if these trends continue. Noteworthy biological details about each organism precede disturbing facts about the negative impact modern societies have on ocean environments, and in turn, these creatures: “If you do eat tuna, beware. All tuna... contain at least some mercury in their bodies.... More than two tuna sandwiches a week is too much.” The detail and perspectives in Barnard’s paintings will awe readers, even as some scenes appear surreal: an overhead shot of a kayaker paddling into a garbage patch; a turtle’s shell horribly deformed by a plastic six-pack ring. This thought-provoking and often alarming message, wrapped in stunning marine images, may indeed spur some to action, as the author hopes: “We need science. We need you.” Ages 5–8.

March 1, 2017
What will happen to jellies, orcas, sea turtles, tuna, corals, and blue-green algae in the "New Ocean" of the future?Opening with the premise that global warming, pollution, acidification, and overfishing are dramatically and permanently changing the ocean--perhaps back to a primal sea--the author then considers the fates of six species, each one discussed in two double-page spreads that pair a substantial column of text on verso to a painting on recto that crosses the gutter. On the first spread, readers find a short description and bulleted facts and then, on the next spread, a column of dire prediction: jellies will flourish, devouring baby fish; orcas are already dying young in poisoned waters and in captivity; turtles are killed by oil-well accidents, litter, and fishing nets; tuna have been overfished and are full of poisonous mercury; coral bleaches and dies in too-warm, acidic, polluted waters; and blue-green algae will also flourish, especially a poisonous one called fireweed. The New Ocean will be oxygen-poor and could cause another mass extinction. These bleak forecasts are accompanied by Barnard's beautiful oil paintings of sea creatures. His information is not inaccurate; his explanations are clear; the future he envisages is one of many possibilities. On a final spread he offers some suggestions for drastic public measures, personal actions, and an example of a teen invention, not enough to offset the gloomy aftertaste this warning is likely to leave in readers. Only for readers old enough to handle the idea of environmental catastrophe. (sources, glossary) (Nonfiction. 11-14)

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May 1, 2017

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. VERDICT An impassioned call to protect Earth's oceans, sure to stimulate conversations. Consider for large STEM collections.-Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2017
Grades 4-8 Beautiful oil paintings display ethereal jellyfish and sea turtles swimming through a rich blue sea. Then another page shows a baby sea turtle swimming by a wormlike knot of garbage, a plastic six-pack ring caught on its flipper. This stark contrast runs through the book, as Barnard pits six ocean creatures against the very real threat of pollution and global warming. Jellyfish, orcas, sea turtles, tuna, corals, and blue-green algae are the subjects of Barnard's study, and in dense paragraphs he unloads their evolutionary history, roles in ocean biomes and Earth's climate, and threats they face from human activity. It is a bleak reality check. Plastic is equated with poison, an unadorned truth that becomes increasingly horrific as readers study the endpapers mapping garbage patches and an illustration detailing how a small fish's dinner of plastic debris contaminates the entire food chain. Despite the unsettling statistics, including ocean acidification and dead zones, the evolutionary wonders on display will hopefully inspire readers to help protect this vulnerable, vital Earth system.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)