“Monster in the Water” by Dylan D’Agate

Monster in the Water: Fighting Back Against Harmful Algal Blooms

Dylan D’Agate
Illustrator: Maria DeCerce
Sixth & Spring Books (2021)
ISBN: 9781684620371
Reviewed by Evan (age 7) for Reader Views Kids (07/2021)

“Monster in the Water” is a book about taking care of the ocean by Dylan D’Agate. The ocean is a place full of animals and it is our job to protect them and where they live. When people don’t pick up after themselves and choose to ignore protecting our world and ocean, it can become dirty. Our animals can have trouble living in it and then our ocean will become empty. If we keep our ocean clean, sometimes things inside the ocean can be bad or invasive which means it doesn’t belong in that area and it could harm the things around it.

The kids see that the beach is full of muck and they can’t play in it. They want to help so they find someone that can help! They learn together how to clear the bad algae and make their beach go back to normal so everyone can enjoy it once again including the animals! I also learned how I can help and do my part to take care of not only my ocean but earth. It is important to keep our ocean and earth. There are so many great things that we have but will lose if we can’t keep them clean. We have to pick up after ourselves and keep our oceans as clean as can be.

I liked that the pollution looked like a monster. It is true, it is harmful and needs to stay away from our seas. This book made me realize how I can help in my area!

A Note from Mom: Growing up I have watched glaciers recede and the ocean become unswimmable because of monster water. It is so sad to see. It is sad to see the beauty that once was. I never thought about what I could do to help but this book does such a great job pairing how to help and why monsters form in the water. I wish I had this book when I was younger so I could help prepare the water for my son, who loves the ocean and everything in it. Now he knows the scientific terms and events that happen if we don’t help fight against algal blooms and make our world a better place!