One Ocean : 7 Ways to Save the Seas

About seventy percent of our planet is ocean, and over 250,000 species call it home. But most of the animals that live in it—from the biggest whales to the smallest plankton—are being affected by the climate crisis.

In One Ocean, learn about practical ways to keep the ocean clean, the effects of the climate crisis, how to get political in your community and how small actions can have a big impact. Meet young activists and discover what inspires them, including Ta’Kaiya Blaney, a singer-songwriter and actor from the Tla’amin Nation, and Finlay Pringle, who fought to stop raw sewage from being dumped in the ocean near his home in Scotland. Come away with actionable steps to take because protecting the ocean is up to us. And, since all oceans connect, there is really only one ocean for all.

Praise for Mark Leiren-Young:

?“Vivid and fascinating...Budding scientists and animal lovers will keep this stellar title in full circulation as they learn the mysteries and history of octopuses.”—School Library Journal, starred review for Octopus Ocean

“Mark Leiren-Young is the kind of author who produces trustworthy works of nonfiction that will both entertain and educate children.”–CM: Canadian Review of Materials

Key Selling Points

• This STEM title introduces young readers to seven practical actions they can take to protect oceans, including falling in love with the animals who live there, thinking small, sharing, keeping it clean, getting political, considering the climate crisis and using their words. They will also learn words to know when it comes to protecting oceans and discover species of note such as orcas, krill and sharks.
• Readers will be inspired by the stories of young ocean activists from all over the world, including Ta’Kaiya Blaney, a singer-songwriter and actor from the Tla’amin Nation in British Columbia, Rylee Grace, beach cleanup organizer and founder of Promise to Our Keiki in Hawaii, and Finlay Pringle, who campaigned against the dumping of raw sewage into the ocean near his home in Scotland, among others.
• The health of the ocean is topical because of the effects of climate change and the problems of plastic waste––13 million tons of plastic enter the ocean every year. The world’s oceans cover 70 percent of the planet and 250,000 different species call it home. Every year, 2,000 more species are added to that list.
• In a time of rising climate anxiety, this title gives young readers hope for the future and the belief that even small actions can make a big difference.
• This book refers to a single ocean, rather than several, to help facilitate a shift in thinking that supports the idea that since all “oceans” connect, there is really only one ocean.
• Mark Leiren-Young is an award-winning writer, documentary filmmaker, podcaster and orca activist. This is his fourth middle-grade nonfiction title with Orca. He’s written Orcas Everywhere, Sharks Forever and Octopus Ocean in the Orca Wild series.

Mark Leiren-Young is a writer, documentary filmmaker, playwright, podcaster and orca activist. His book The Killer Whale Who Changed the World won a Science Writers and Communicators of Canada book award. He wrote, directed and produced an award-winning documentary The Hundred-Year-Old Whale, and his documentary about Moby Doll is being produced by Middle Child Films. Mark hosts Skaana, a podcast about orca and ocean stories, and is actively involved in the fight for the survival of the endangered southern residents. Mark has written for other young audiences for ABC, PBS, YTV, Treehouse and BBC Kids. His books for young readers include Big Whale, Small World, Orcas of the Salish Sea, Sharks Forever, Octopus Ocean and the City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize winner, Orcas Everywhere. He lives in Victoria, British Columbia.

Bithi Sutradhar is a Bangladeshi illustrator and graphic designer who holds a master of publishing degree from Simon Fraser University, as well as an MFA and BFA in graphic design from the University of Dhaka. Alongside her professional illustration work, Bithi enjoys sharing her knowledge and skills through teaching. Her contributions have been recognized by educational institutions and government bodies such as the Ministry of Agriculture in Bangladesh. In 2024 Bithi created the illustrations for the first three books in the Take Action series as part of an internship with Orca Book Publishers. Bithi lives in Vancouver and loves exploring the vibrant outdoor scenes in her spare time, finding inspiration in the city’s natural beauty.