PEARL OF THE SEA

A girl and a sea monster form an unlikely bond, helping one another learn to trust again.

Pearl spends most of her free time in the ocean near her small coastal town. There, she can ignore the weight of her burdens since her mother left her and her father. Facing financial insecurity, Pearl gets caught up with some local poachers. In exchange for abalone, the poachers provide Pearl with much-needed money that will hopefully keep her father from moving them to the city. While diving in a restricted area, Pearl unearths a massive beast hiding in the depths. Upon luring it out, she notices the many harpoons protruding from its tentacles and nurses the beast, whom she affectionately names Otto, back to health. The pair grow closer as they help one another, making for a heartfelt tale. The detailed illustrations do the heavy lifting in many of the wordless panels as the vibrant colors and dynamic linework bring Pearl’s beloved ocean to life. This steady coming-of-age journey tackles the complexities of poaching while showcasing Pearl’s journey to let people into her life. Although Pearl and Otto are the primary focus, the author gives brief arcs to Pearl’s friend Naomi and her father. Pearl, her father, and Naomi are brown.

A richly illustrated story of friendship.