Book review: 'The Blue Giant' is a picture book with captivating illustrations that tell a conservationist story

Meera and her mom are spending the day at the beach in, The Blue Giant. Just when they settle down for an afternoon of relaxing, a huge wave crashes over them and grabs their attention. They realize that it isn't an ordinary wave that got them wet. No, there seems to be something....alive....in the water.

The two don their scuba gear and swim out, out, out into the ocean to follow their new friend. And it's a good thing they do because, once out in the sea, they see how much garbage is littering the marine life's world.

Image from Amazon

Saddened, Meera and her mom return to shore and the next day they get to work picking up the trash that litters the beach. They don't stop, and day after day more people join until a massive army of people are cleaning up beaches, all with the intention of conserving the ocean.

The Blue Giant teaches so many lessons. First, Meera and her mom don't let a big task daunt them, they get right to work. Second, they aren't afraid to enlist the help of their friends, something that many of us could be intimidated by. Third, author and illustrator Katie Cottle has painted Meera and her mom as women of color. Honestly, as a reader, I can't figure out which race they are! They could be Black, Hispanic, Indian....I'm just not sure! And that is what could help make this book applicable to many readers.

The Blue Giant is a beautiful, peaceful book that teaches how to care for the earth in a gentle way.

Book breakdown:
30 pages
Color illustrations
Best for ages: 3 and older
Educational factor: medium
Christian content: N/A
Parents could be concerned about: Nothing. This book teaches ocean respect and care.