THE SEA, THE STORM, AND THE MANGROVE TANGLE

In a beautiful, lush tribute to mangroves, the artwork lures the reader right into the midst of the scenery. A seed from a mangrove tree floats on the sea until it comes to rest on the shore of a faraway lagoon where, over time, it becomes a mangrove island that shelters many birds and animals even during a hurricane. And the cycle begins again. While the message is clear, it is the splendid, realistic illustrations of marine life akin to the author’s near classic The Great Kapok Tree (1990) that generate appreciation and awareness of the endangered mangroves. The only trees that can grow in salty seawater, they are being damaged by proliferating shrimp farms and tourist sites—Miami Beach used to be a mangrove island. The author’s note explains how beneficial they are and makes a plea to save the mangroves by writing support letters. Despite the idea that the creatures that find a home in, on, or under the tree speak in first person, this is an ecology lesson, a teacher’s aide, and a gratifying nature story. (Picture book. 6-9)