Aqua Boy

Wonder Kids

by Ken Wilson-Max

A boy’s love for the sea and marine animals spurs him to quiet bravery—and a transformative first experience—in a story that will resonate with young ocean lovers.

Aaron lives by the ocean with his sister, Angel, and his mom and dad, who are Ocean Guardians. He loves the smell of the air, the colors of the water, the sound of the waves, and the feel of sand between his toes. But unlike his sister, who dives into the waves all day long, Aaron shies away from putting his head in the water. How can he ever fulfill his dream of swimming with dolphins and whales? One day, as his family does beach cleanup after a storm, they come upon a stranded octopus. As Aaron helps his father with the rescue, he finds himself following the octopus underwater to watch it swim away. He did it! With warm illustrations and a gentle text, Ken Wilson-Max shows how environmental stewardship and empathy for the world’s animals can infuse us with unexpected bravery.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Nature, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

Published May 21, 2024

About the author

Ken Wilson-Max was born in 1965 and raised in Zimbabwe and studied design in the U.K. He is the author-illustrator of many children’s books. He says that he has always believed that people are more similar than different, and that that is worth celebrating. Ken Wilson-Max lives in London.

Reviews

[Children's Literature Centre at FSU · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aaron and his sister Angel love the ocean. However, Aaron is afraid of swimming underwater. Readers will love this story about a family that lives by the ocean, and can see sea creatures such as an octopus that gets stranded on shore. At the end, information is provided about octopuses and the ocean including how the ocean can be protected.

[Rebecca Caufman]

A young boy is scared to go underwater but his family is patient with him and celebrates when he finally takes the plunge.

[Liz Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good discussion about how trash impacts our ocean.

[P.J.’s Top Picks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet book about a boy, Aaron, who dreams of swimming with dolphins in the ocean, but is a little afraid to put his head under. While helping his family clean up after a storm, he encounters an octopus needing help. Will helping his father rescue this stranded octopus inspire young Aaron to overcome his fear?
Great book with bright illustrations and an informative section at the end about protecting the octopuses and the ocean.
Would be a great addition to any library.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable story!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ecology. Interesting backmatter about octopus

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

PLEASE READ THIS ON MY BLOG: https://bookreadingtic.com/2024/07/14... AND PLEASE FOLLOW ME, THANK YOU!

Fun in the Ocean!

Little Aaron has a problem, he doesn’t enjoy the ocean like the rest of his family because he is afraid to put his head in the water. He feels left out, but when he tries, he is unable to do it.

This is a sweet story about a family, and the encouragement they give to Aaron. Little ones will identify with his fear to do something new, and what happens because of it. They will also enjoy reading about the fun they have at the ocean, swimming and splashing around—and what they do to keep it clean and safe.

The descriptions and bright illustrations show children the wonderful things that are under water.

The back of the book contains a bonus section with more information about the ocean. Children will have a great time discovering more about octopuses and other things in the sea.

This is a story all children will enjoy, but it will be a good thing to read to anyone that has something they are afraid of, including swimming.

Over-sized, and full of the family’s adventures, this happy, five-star picture book will be liked by four-to-eight-year-olds.

Thank you, Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

[Vera Godley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute book about a boy that lives by the sea, and his family are guardians of the ocean. This seems to be an ecological group of volunteers all over the world that help pick up trash and clean our oceans. (see oceana.org)

The little boy swims as do his friends, family, and neighbors. But he is afraid to put his head in the water. He is encouraged to trust that he will eventually do this.

An octopus is stranded on shore and the boy's father assists it back into the water. The boy follows and is so entranced he, without thinking, goes under water and watches the octopus swim off.

I received a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely introduction for young children to ocean stewardship, with an engaging main character who wants to be as brave as his big sister. Among other adventures, Aaron helps a stranded octopus find the ocean again. This picture book has great back matter about climate change and pollution (for older kids) and how it affects coral reefs and ocean creatures. The back matter is excellent, sharing all about Octopuses and also introducing a few ways human pollution and climate change harm sea creatures. (which may be for a slightly older crowd than the story is – though I think it is put there to give parents background) , but is it too much?) He refers families to oceana.org, the largest advocacy organization dedicated just to the ocean. Bravo! m2

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
I read a digital advance copy courtesy of the publisher and Edelweiss
Aaron and his family are ocean guardians, cleaning up the beach but Aaron is hesitant to put his face under the water. After a big storm scatters garbage on their beach, Aaron and his family discover a stranded octopus. As Aaron's father uses a stick to help the octopus return to the ocean, the octopus keeps its big eye on Aaron and Aaron watches back.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much to love about this book - shared moments with family, caring for sea creatures and doing beach cleanup, overcoming a fear and the joy in accomplishment. This one will be on my Earth Day selection list. Interesting back matter about protecting octopuses and the ocean. Lush, colorful illustrations.

[Samantha Ruth Lai · Rating 3 out of 5]

had higher hopes for this ngl so it fell a bit flat BUT simple book on exploration and facing fears and discovering new things about the world!

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young boy and his family love the water. But he is afraid to put his head underwater. His family tells him that when he is ready, he will do it. It teaches about ocean animals and conservation.