DIARY OF A MARINE BIOLOGIST

Spend a week with a scientist who’s devoted her life to studying the ocean.

A marine biologist's day begins early! By 8 a.m. on Monday, blue-haired, pale-skinned Emma is in her office. She notes the weather in her journal (with temperatures provided in Celsius) and eagerly looks ahead to the adventures her six-day work week will bring. Emma’s schedule is seemingly nonstop; starting at 5 a.m. on Tuesday, she’s out on the water, observing right whales in Fowlers Bay, off the coast of Australia. Wednesday finds her at the hatchery, transferring baby clownfish to a new tank; Thursday sees her diving with giant cuttlefish; on Friday, she discovers a new specimen of sea snake; and on Saturday, she observes wildlife at a man-made oyster reef. Sunday brings a much-needed day off, but even as she surfs with a friend, her scientist’s mind analyzes the physics of waves. Emma’s engaging voice vibrates with enthusiasm for her work; each day is different but equally absorbing. Fascinating bits of information are deftly interspersed: a checklist of necessary equipment, a trick to avert sea sickness, stats on ocean life. Bright, stylized but accurate, saturated-color scenes convey a lively you-are-there vibe, while carefully labeled, limpid drawings of sea creatures provide rich information about the environment and its inhabitants.

Vicarious immersion in a sea-soaked vocation.