Overview

This artful and thought-provoking picture book shares the little-known story of the disappearance of the Aral Sea—and the loss of livelihood and biodiversity as fishing villages and ships were left stranded in the desert without water. The Aral Sea once stretched across modern-day Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. A large saltwater lake of Central Asia (called “sea” because of its vastness), the Aral Sea’s 26 square miles (67 square kilometers) sustained its surrounding communities for generations. Beginning in the 1960s, aggressive Soviet industrialization diverted water for agricultural production and caused the lake to shrink. Today, the waters that had thrived for centuries have almost entirely disappeared—and along with them, the biodiversity of the lake, its thriving fishing industry, and the many homes along its shores. Told in a folkloric style with stunning illustrations, this true tale chronicles what happens when nature’s generosity is exploited. It gently invites readers to consider the reality of irreversible environmental harm, its global impact, and what it means to be compassionate to the land we live on.

Full Product Details

9781797224596

Table of Contents

Reviews

“Tells an accessible story of what has often been described as one of the twentieth century’s greatest ecological disasters…offers up a portrait of the origins of the Aral Sea, the people who once depended on their “caring mother” for fishing and drinking water, and the Soviet-era cotton-growing schemes that would lead to its demise.” — The Horn Book  “After giving her story visual punch by opening with a series of maps that show the Aral Sea, Mirtalipova goes on… to celebrate its past [and] lament its modern fate.” — Booklist ★— “A moving, memorable book that washes over readers with a call to stewardship.” — Kirkus, Starred Review

“Tells an accessible story of what has often been described as one of the twentieth century’s greatest ecological disasters…offers up a portrait of the origins of the Aral Sea, the people who once depended on their “caring mother” for fishing and drinking water, and the Soviet-era cotton-growing schemes that would lead to its demise.” — The Horn Book  “After giving her story visual punch by opening with a series of maps that show the Aral Sea, Mirtalipova goes on… to celebrate its past [and] lament its modern fate.” — Booklist ★— “A moving, memorable book that washes over readers with a call to stewardship.” — Kirkus, Starred Review ★— “A real-world The Giving Tree–like story grounded in the natural world.” — Publishers Weekly, Starred Review ★– “Offers a poignant and beautifully illustrated tale of warning… . the illustrations reflect both cultural heritage and environmental transformation. Mirtalipova’s detailed yet raw artwork is rich in symbolism and texture, with a handcrafted feel that deepens the story’s message. [T]his book will inspire young readers to care for Earth’s resources with intention and respect.” – School Library Journal

Author Information

Dinara Mirtalipova is an award-winning folk illustrator and designer who was born and raised in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Her whimsical and instantly recognizable handcrafted work is inspired by Uzbek and Russian folklore and culture, which has been passed from generation to generation by her ancestors. She is the illustrator of Woven of the World—which received a BolognaRagazzi Special Mention for Nonfiction, a BIBF Ananas Grand Prix, and a Society of Illustrators Book Silver Medal—among many other books. She works and lives in northeast Ohio. Learn more about Dinara at mirdinara.com or on Instagram @mirdinara.

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