Amanda Swinimer loves seaweed! She is a professional seaweed harvester in the Salish Sea. Her book on seaweed pays tribute to her passion through colour photos, labelled photos and diagrams, scientific black-and-white drawings, and even graphic novel-type illustrations. Besides all the scientific information in the book, each chapter contains a section on what to do with seaweed, from eating it (recipes included) to creating greeting cards to cleaning up the beaches so seaweed can thrive (with directions in child-friendly language for organizing). Several personal experiences of seaweed gathering are also featured. Amanda respectfully acknowledges Indigenous connections throughout the book but does not share Indigenous Knowledge, as she is not Indigenous. All children in the book’s photos are known to the author; little to no diversity is present. This eco-consciousness-raising book has a vibrant and engaging approach. It also contains an index and glossary of highlighted words, making it ideal for an inquiry project in the primary or junior grades.

Other End Matter: Glossary
Images: Colour photographs, Colour illustrations, b&w illustrations
Bibliography: Yes
Index: Yes

Source: Books BC - BC Books for Schools

Amanda Swinimer (BSc), aka “Mermaid of the Pacific”, hand harvests wild seaweed from the beaches and kelp forests of the Salish Sea for her business, Dakini Tidal Wilds. She also conducts seaweed tours and gives presentations on seaweed to school children and audiences of all ages, passing on her knowledge about ocean ecology and the nutritional benefits of seaweed. She is the author of The Science and Spirit of Seaweed: Discovering Food, Medicine and Purpose in the Kelp Forests of the Pacific Northwest. She lives on the west coast of Vancouver Island with her two daughters.

Amanda Swinimer's profile page

• Nominated, Forest of Reading Yellow Cedar Award
• Winner, Gold Medal in the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards

“Our planet is a water world, cold and mysterious to land animals like us. Thanks to Amanda Swinimer’s love story (her romance with kelp) we learn about these diverse sea plants that comprise vast forests, feed and shelter many sea animals and even influence the climate. This book is a fascinating guide to one of the most important groups of species in the world.”

David Suzuki

“The Science and Superpowers of Seaweed is a fabulous and fun book for young people—and for everyone! What an eye-opener. Thinking ‘seaweed’ is one thing is like thinking all forests are alike! So much cool science. Author Amanda Swinimer has done an amazing job in making seaweed science accessible!”

Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party of Canada

“A delight for seashore enthusiasts of any age.”

Bridgette Clarkston, PhD, co-author of <em>Pacific Seaweeds: A Guide to Common Seaweeds of the West Coast</em>

“Amanda Swinimer’s seaweed guide for kids presents a richly illustrated sweep of seaweed fact, art and cookery. These are presented in the context of a challenged ocean and humanity. I recommend this book to you, to share with children of all ages.”

Louis Druehl, author of <em>Pacific Seaweeds: A Guide to Common Seaweeds of the West Coast</em>