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Aqua Boy

Part of Wonder Kids

Illustrated by Ken Wilson-Max
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Hardcover
$17.99 US
9.81"W x 11.13"H x 0.35"D   | 15 oz | 30 per carton
On sale May 21, 2024 | 32 Pages | 9781536236644
Age 4-8 years | Preschool - 3
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A boy’s love for the sea and marine animals spurs him to quiet bravery—and a transformative first experience—in a story that will resonate with young ocean lovers.

Aaron lives by the ocean with his sister, Angel, and his mom and dad, who are Ocean Guardians. He loves the smell of the air, the colors of the water, the sound of the waves, and the feel of sand between his toes. But unlike his sister, who dives into the waves all day long, Aaron shies away from putting his head in the water. How can he ever fulfill his dream of swimming with dolphins and whales? One day, as his family does beach cleanup after a storm, they come upon a stranded octopus. As Aaron helps his father with the rescue, he finds himself following the octopus underwater to watch it swim away. He did it! With warm illustrations and a gentle text, Ken Wilson-Max shows how environmental stewardship and empathy for the world’s animals can infuse us with unexpected bravery.
Wilson-Max’s deeply saturated, thickly outlined acrylic paintings depict vibrant scenes of ocean life and effectively capture the love between Aaron’s family members, their passion for this coastal habitat, and their frustration upon witnessing ocean pollution. . . . Certain to instill a passion for the ocean and its many wonders.
—Kirkus Reviews

A great summer read, especially for reluctant swimmers.
—Book Riot
Ken Wilson-Max was born and raised in Zimbabwe and studied design in the UK. He is the author-illustrator of many children’s books, including Astro Girl and Eco Girl, and is the illustrator of Terrible Horses by Raymond Antrobus and the author of The Drum, illustrated by Catell Ronca. Ken Wilson-Max lives in London.

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About

A boy’s love for the sea and marine animals spurs him to quiet bravery—and a transformative first experience—in a story that will resonate with young ocean lovers.

Aaron lives by the ocean with his sister, Angel, and his mom and dad, who are Ocean Guardians. He loves the smell of the air, the colors of the water, the sound of the waves, and the feel of sand between his toes. But unlike his sister, who dives into the waves all day long, Aaron shies away from putting his head in the water. How can he ever fulfill his dream of swimming with dolphins and whales? One day, as his family does beach cleanup after a storm, they come upon a stranded octopus. As Aaron helps his father with the rescue, he finds himself following the octopus underwater to watch it swim away. He did it! With warm illustrations and a gentle text, Ken Wilson-Max shows how environmental stewardship and empathy for the world’s animals can infuse us with unexpected bravery.

Praise

Wilson-Max’s deeply saturated, thickly outlined acrylic paintings depict vibrant scenes of ocean life and effectively capture the love between Aaron’s family members, their passion for this coastal habitat, and their frustration upon witnessing ocean pollution. . . . Certain to instill a passion for the ocean and its many wonders.
—Kirkus Reviews

A great summer read, especially for reluctant swimmers.
—Book Riot

Author

Ken Wilson-Max was born and raised in Zimbabwe and studied design in the UK. He is the author-illustrator of many children’s books, including Astro Girl and Eco Girl, and is the illustrator of Terrible Horses by Raymond Antrobus and the author of The Drum, illustrated by Catell Ronca. Ken Wilson-Max lives in London.