Dive In: Exploring our Connection with the Ocean by Ann Eriksson is a nonfiction book for children and adults. It starts with the idea that we are all connected to the ocean, and the ocean to us. The ocean provides half the oxygen we breathe; it feeds us, creates our weather and provides us with water. But people have not been as kind to the ocean in return. The problems are many: pollution, overfishing, rising seas and acid waters. What can be done? Don't despair; take action.

Dive In explores the connection between mankind, our actions, and the oceans. We get a great deal from the ocean, and treat it like our private playground, drilling field, and dumping ground. Thankfully there are scientists and activists that spend their time studying the ocean and working to protect it, and everything that lives in, on, or near it. The book is text heavy, with some great information and photographs to engage readers. I liked that there were big and small things suggested for readers and their families to do in order to help the environment. The glossary and additional resources at the end of the book can help readers understand more, and hopefully encourage them to further explore the topic on their own. Some of the informational text boxes were hard to read because of the color choices, I was reading a pre publication galley, so that might have been fixed by the final printing. I think this is a great book for older children, or reading together as a family. Some of the text is more difficult than I think new or struggling readers might be happy tackling on their own. I do think that parts came off as a little too preachy, and just how big the changes could or should be might be overwhelming to readers, even though the little changes are mentioned as well. I know that I was a little taken aback and felt a little preached at rather than encouraged to make bigger changes.

Dive In is an information and interesting read. I was fascinated by some of the statistics and details about the ocean itself and think it can help readers see how interconnected the environment is, and how even the smallest choices can have an impact.

Dive In! by Ann Eriksson, is a middle-grade book all about the ocean, how it affects humans, and how we affect the ocean. Young readers can learn all about ocean conservation and why it is so important. There are suggested ways that kids could start today in helping protect the environment. I read this with my cubs and they all enjoyed it. My only qualm, as is the case with anything involving global warming, is the lack of mention that global warming and cooling are normal. Not just on a small scale either, but cycles encompassing thousands and thousands of years. Our ancestors went through a global cooling, then a global warming, with the last Ice Age, and the end of that Ice Age. Go further back and you'll find warming periods with almost no ice caps or glaciers. Yes, humans need to be responsible custodians of the planet, but we need not bear the full brunt of blame for the current warming cycle. Anyhoo…. Recommended for classroom reading or for the youngster with a love for the ocean or interest in environmental responsibility.

***Many thanks to the Netgalley and Orca Book Publishers for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Dive In! Exploring Our Connection with the Ocean by Ann Eriksson is a great introduction to the impact on this earth, more specifically on the health of our oceans and sea life. The reader learns that making our waterways healthier through our daily choices, volunteer opportunities and possible career paths can make a difference. The author highlights young people for their personal efforts in improving the health of the oceans and waterways throughout the book. Having young people highlighted is a great way to inspire kids to get involved and for them to make a difference. 

I received this e-ARC from Orca Book Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Aimed at kids, this is a great introduction to the impact we all have on the health of our oceans and sealife. As an adult, I learned a few things myself! The author shares ways we can all get involved in making our waterways healthier through our daily choices as well as volunteer opportunities and possible career paths. Throughout the text, young people are highlighted for their personal efforts in improving the health of the oceans and waterways, great inspiration for kids to get involved. We can all use a gentle reminder of the impact of our own choices.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orca Book Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this informative book. All comments are my own, unbiased opinion.