This inspiring book chronicles the efforts of Kerstin Forsberg, a Peruvian conservation leader, who has been building connections between people and animals since she was a child. At age eight, she started a club to get her disinterested classmates excited about the small zoo on their school campus. At age 10, she had a conservation story published in a magazine to draw attention to ocean contamination. After college, Forsberg had the opportunity to work with fishermen in a small community in northern Peru, solidifying her belief that nothing changes unless the community is involved. Forsberg’s focus on listening is central to this story of creating protections for manta rays, huge animals (as big as four king-size beds) that play a pivotal role in ocean health. Working with school children and fishermen, Forsberg and her organization, Planeta Oceano, build awareness for why protecting rays ultimately yields better fish for fishermen, and how this benefits other aspects of the local economy. Numerous photographs and sidebars add valuable information about the rays. Interviews with fishermen and children explore how Forsberg and Planeta Oceano have helped them understand the importance of manta rays, and how they take part in protecting the rays in this excellent profile of environmental science and community activism for young readers.

Off the coast of Perú, gentle giants swim beneath the waves. Thanks to the work of Kerstin Forsberg, giant manta rays have become a symbol of hope for ocean conservation in the region. Mantas are a flagship species, and when they're protected, the whole ocean ecosystem benefits.

Kerstin, who founded the organization Planeta Océano, has taken a new approach to ocean conservation. Previous conservation projects were often led by scientists from other places who didn't work with the local people. When Kerstin decided to help manta rays, she sought the opinions of local fishers and educated them about the dangers of overfishing, bycatch, and poaching--things that affect both manta rays and fishers. She also involved local schools and teachers.

With the help of teachers, students, and fishers, Kerstin launched a project to identify and track manta rays and protect them, making the ocean a better place for all creatures. Dive in with author Patricia Newman and explore how taking care of the ocean can benefit everyone!