Although a fictional story, this book contains a wealth of accessible marine ecology facts combined with scientifically accurate drawings. In the introductory pages, the author acknowledges her work with individual Indigenous Elders and educators, and thanks the ’Na̱mǥis First Nation Council, 'Yalis (Alert Bay) and Kwak’wala language and culture teachers for sharing their knowledge and wisdom. In this third adventure, Sam and Crystal explore the marine habitat of Eagle Cove and its surrounding eelgrass meadow ecosystem. This is one of the world’s richest and most productive marine ecosystems, providing habitat for a diversity of fish, crustaceans, marine mammals, and micro-organisms. Ada, a fictional First Nations woman from a nearby village, shares her people’s knowledge of land and sea, in particular the harvest of herring eggs. As the text is very detailed, careful reading may be needed to understand the depth of scientific information.

64 pp., 8 × 10", colour illustrations

Source: Association of Book Publishers of BC - BC Books for Schools (2021-2022)

Gloria Snively is a professor emeritus of science, environmental, and marine education in the Faculty of Education, University of Victoria, and a former classroom teacher of primary and junior secondary grades. She is a founding member of the Northwest Association of Marine Educators and the author of the classic bestselling field guide Exploring the Seashore in British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon, now in its eleventh printing. Her passions include curriculum development; First Nations education; giving natural history workshops to teachers, park interpreters, and community groups; and exploring the stunning seashores of the west coast. She lives in Sooke, BC.

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Karen Gillmore has been an artist since she could hold crayons. In addition to being a children’s book illustrator—most notably of the Sam and Crystal series—she also draws and writes comics and illustrates graphic novels.

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