A Silent Spring for oceans, written by “the Rachel Carson of the fish world” (The New York Times)

Who can forget the sense of wonder with which they discovered the creatures of the deep? In this vibrant hymn to the sea, Callum Roberts—one of the world’s foremost conservation biologists—leads readers on a fascinating tour of mankind’s relationship to the sea, from the earliest traces of water on earth to the oceans as we know them today. In the process, Roberts looks at how the taming of the oceans has shaped human civilization and affected marine life.

We have always been fish eaters, from the dawn of civilization, but in the last twenty years we have transformed the oceans beyond recognition. Putting our exploitation of the seas into historical context, Roberts offers a devastating account of the impact of modern fishing techniques, pollution, and climate change, and reveals what it would take to steer the right course while there is still time. Like Four Fish and The Omnivore’s Dilemma, The Ocean of Life takes a long view to tell a story in which each one of us has a role to play.

Beautiful picture book for kids about kindness.

It’s Good Deeds Week again! And Stephen is starting out his favorite week of the year with enthusiasm in his heart and the Good Deeds checklist in his hand. He can hardly wait to get started showing kindness to others. But when one thing after another goes wrong, Stephen becomes all too familiar with the old saying, “No good deed goes unpunished.” Stephen even considers giving up before he messes up anything else! Will Stephen be able to brush it off and carry on?

Based on real kids’ experiences with the Great Kindness Challenge, Good Deeds Gone Wrong will make you laugh, make you cringe, and make you wonder why Stephen doesn’t give up much sooner! This colorful, engaging picture book will inspire children to perservere in showing kindness, even when it does not turn out as the expect.