DIVE LOG AUSTRALASIA ISSUE 413 AUGUST 25

Book review: Aqua-Claire’s Ocean Adventures by Elizabeth So lich R ampant overfishing, habitat loss and urban expansion threaten our marine life. This book shows children they can become aware and also help to make a difference. “Aqua-Claire’s Ocean Adventures” was written by artist Elizabeth Solich for her daughters. Aqua-Claire’s message is to create awareness of the delicate ocean world.: Elizabeth introduces her protagonist, Aqua-Claire to many characters of marine life. Aqua-Claire dives into the water and begins her Ocean Adventure. She encounters a wide variety of marine life, helps to clean up their environment and even makes friends with them. Aqua Claire’s new friends include Crabs, Pipefish and Sea Dragons. Along her journey, various environmental issues are covered. That plastic straw is annoying to Cedric the Old Wife fish. She helps Aqua-Claire’s to collect the rubbish and clean up her home. As a result, Cedric the Old Wife decides to escort Aqua Claire around the sea floor to meet all of the other fishies. This is a journey of marine magic and many wonderful discoveries.

Josie the Angler fish does not need that plastic knife and fork. Leon the Pyjama Squid has a broken spectacle frame dirtying up her garden. Aqua-Claire cleans up Josie’s sponge and Leon’s garden and gets a nice goodbye kiss. Next, she gets to meet Alice the Leatherjacket and Olivia the Blue Ringed Octopus. Olivia has found a gold ring which she cannot use so she gives it to Aqua-Claire to try to find the owner. It might belong to a newly wed. So, Elizabeth’s book continues. Aqua-Claire’s new friends include Sea Horses, Decorator Crabs, Jack the Squid and a beautiful Blue Groper. “Aqua-Claire’s Ocean Adventures” is heartwarming and educational forchildren’s. It introduces the readers to living creatures that are adversely affected by human activity. The aim could be to show that these lifeforms on the reef need to feel the love and need some protection. Aqua Claire’s Ocean Adventures shows how children can make the sea a better place and help the animals to survive. Who knows if Aqua-Claire’s Ocean Adventures will inspire future marine life protectors and custodians as well as giving young readers a strong message about the effects of rubbish on the living inhabitants of the sea. It also raises awareness of the denizens of the deep and how the lives of each character can be improved. To order the book from Elizabeth : info@oceanicsoiree.com

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Dive Log Australasia #413 August ‘25

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