A book full of many possible aquatic adventures!
This is a fun little showing of the types of underwater places we, as humans, could travel to in the future. For example children can imagine travelling to the deepest part of the ocean, encountering dolphins, and other sea creatures. The Aquanaut gives the impression that if you can imagine going somewhere underwater then you will. Inspirational for really little ones; but perhaps a bit to simplified for children aged 5 and up.
I wish there had been a little bit about the dangers of scuba diving or at least some of the safety measures required. Although, it should be noted, I am hydrophobic and so to me going underwater is terrifying; so I may not be the best judge of what is needed here. LOL
Overall the illustrations are vibrant and fun. Our Aquanaut looks a bit like an Astronaut which I enjoyed and I think will inspire more children to be intrigued by the ocean and what can be discovered within it.

Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.

Oh wow, what a stunner! Heinerth's autobiographical tale of a little girl's imagination and dreams becoming her adult reality is inspiring, and Kim's beautiful spreads really bring it all to life so well. This is a book that will make young minds soar!

My class loved this book. We thought learning about an aquanaut was really cool - many of them did not know it was a real job. We also really appreciated the theme of believing in yourself and dreaming big when you grow up. The artwork really added to the overall understanding of the story - not only was it beautiful but many student pointed out that the "flashback" pictures of when Jill was young were in tones of yellow, while the present was represented with many tones of blue. This led to a discussion of flashbacks and past tense language. The Aquanaut is a fantastic book that I will be using in my classroom!

Really enjoyed the look at the young and adult Aquanaut. It was a really nice way to show my child that the stuff they are into now and their actions can help them learn more about themselves and lead to their passions. Thanks for a great story! I actually wish there was more :)

A little girl remembers her dreams of being an astronaut. Who she wanted to float, discover new things, and explore new lands. As an adult she found all those things were possible underwater. This book shows the child dreaming and then opposite shows how that dream came true. It was an interesting look at how space and the deep sea are alike and unexplored.

A beautiful pictures about discovering who you are learning to lean into what you liked as a kid to find a career with it. Such a super well done picture book!
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. This is a really great book about imagination and adventure and dreams. Lovely illustrations too.

I love this story about how to use your imagination to overcome fears. The best part is that it is about the author as a child, showing the reader that they can also overcome their fears and follow their dreams. Amazing illustrations take us into the dark places of the ocean and show the beauty that lies beneath.

Review will post on blog Nov 1/2020.

I’ve heard a lot about astronauts before but have never thought about aquanauts. This great story with its vivid illustrations was a wonderful introduction. I love how it paralleled the young girl with her adult self.

This delightful book will inspire young readers to dream big, explore their world and follow their heart as they journey through life.

The author is an award-winning aquanaut and the art is by a #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator. The message encourages kids to be brave and build up their self-esteem as they imagine what they can do and become when they grow up.

"When I was young, the world seemed too dangerous. Everything was too hard. I was too young. Places were too far away. But that was okay because I had a big imagination . . . "


Jill Heinerth, as a little girl, felt so small and unsure of herself. She thought that her dreams were beyond attainment and too difficult to accomplish. She wanted to be an astronaut but instead of going to outer space she decided to explore dark, underwater, cavernous, spaces on earth and she became a skilled aquanaut and photographer.

"More people have walked on the moon than have been in some of remote places I have discovered right here on our water planet!"

The artwork is beautifully done. It is vibrant and detailed. I like the duality of the story: one page a child's dream and the next page an adult engaged in living it. The author has included photos of herself at the end of the book successfully living her dream. The book is a celebration of overcoming your doubts and fears and with imagination and determination make the impossible (in your mind).... a very possible reality. I highly recommend.

I requested and received this book from Jill Heinerth and Penguin Random House Canada through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The illustrations in this book were beautiful, the colours were vibrant, and the pictures were detailed and inviting. I love that this book encourages kids to dream and use their imaginations.

Inspired by her childhood, Jill Heinerth writes a story of imagination. A young girl (Heinerth) takes the reader through her dreams of exploring space and the ocean, being brave and helping others.
I really enjoyed this picture book. I think it would be a great read aloud for a slightly older audience (ages 4-8). Even though the protagonist thinks she is too young to have an adventure, she prepares for her adventures by dreaming about them! This is a great lesson for children, to learn that even if they can't do something yet, they can use their imagination.
The art was beautiful, I especially loved the under-the-sea scenes. I also loved that there are pictures of Heinerth at the end to show children that they can achieve their dreams, too.