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Giant Rays of Hope: Protecting Manta Rays to Safeguard the Sea
CCBC Review:
This inspiring book chronicles the efforts of Kerstin Forsberg, a Peruvian conservation leader, who has been building connections between people and animals since she was a child. At age eight, she started a club to get her disinterested classmates excited about the small zoo on their school campus. At age 10, she had a conservation story published in a magazine to draw attention to ocean contamination. After college, Forsberg had the opportunity to work with fishermen in a small community in northern Peru, solidifying her belief that nothing changes unless the community is involved. Forsberg’s focus on listening is central to this story of creating protections for manta rays, huge animals (as big as four king-size beds) that play a pivotal role in ocean health. Working with school children and fishermen, Forsberg and her organization, Planeta Oceano, build awareness for why protecting rays ultimately yields better fish for fishermen, and how this benefits other aspects of the local economy. Numerous photographs and sidebars add valuable information about the rays. Interviews with fishermen and children explore how Forsberg and Planeta Oceano have helped them understand the importance of manta rays, and how they take part in protecting the rays in this excellent profile of environmental science and community activism for young readers. ©2025 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 8-12
Age Range:
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
Animals (Informational)
Community
Cooperation
Environmental Challenges
Diversity subject:
Latine
Publishers:
Lerner, Millbrook
Publish Year: 2024
Pages: 55
ISBN: 9798765607992
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 597 Newman