SEA WITHOUT A SHORE

From the broken-off tip of a sargassum plant, a whole community grows in the Sargasso Sea.

This appealing title illustrates the remarkable variety of “the ocean’s floating golden rainforest,” as marine biologist and oceanographer Sylvia Earle puts it in her afterword. Set on and off the shores of Bermuda, the book depicts racially diverse beachgoers making their own whirlpool as Rosenstock describes the enormous whirling area of the Atlantic Ocean known as the Sargasso Sea, the result of “five currents [swirling] billions of gallons of water clockwise.” Next, she introduces the sargassum, an algae that reproduces by growing anew from broken-off bits. Step by step, the sargassum grows, and other living creatures—crabs, shrimp, swordfish—come. They graze on it, take shelter in it, and feed on smaller inhabitants. Gradually, the population builds up until we see humpback whales and then a happy Black-presenting human swimmer. The author makes clear how interdependent these creatures are and describes the complexity of their world. This deftly told narrative would be grand fun to read aloud. The creatures are introduced in triplet lines: “Crusty bryozoans / feathery hydroids. / Spiraled tube worms.” Rosenstock’s concise text exudes energy and makes wonderful use of alliteration: “They scavenge. Snatching and shredding.” “Water-striders speed on the surface.” Roy’s gorgeous, watercolorlike illustrations swirl with vibrant hues and would show well to a group.

Youngsters will be sucked into this engaging, informative account of a most unusual ecosystem.