Kenzie loves the pelican parade, lantern fish, shark teeth and seashells at the beach. She loves pretending to be a mermaid who swims among deep-sea wildlife. One day, though, she's dismayed to discover more than wildlife on the seafloor.⁠
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When Mama tells her how more and more garbage is ending up in the water, Kenzie is determined to do something to help her water-dwelling friends.⁠ The story, paired with vibrant illustrations, is a gentle way to talk with children about littering and other dangers to the environment.⁠
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I really appreciate books that embrace diversity without making it central to the plot (because diversity should be normalized). The author's use of African American vernacular English, paired with a fun story and a relatable main character, achieves this goal beautifully. If your child hasn't had much exposure to that way of speaking, this book is a great way to introduce it.