One Ocean

About seventy percent of our planet is ocean, and over 250,000 species call it home. But most of the animals who live in it—from the biggest whales to the smallest plankton—are being affected by the climate crisis.

In One Ocean, learn about practical ways to keep the ocean clean, the effects of the climate crisis, how to get political in your community and how small actions can have a big impact. Meet young activists and discover what inspires them, including Ta’Kaiya Blaney, a singer-songwriter and actor from the Tla’amin Nation, and Finlay Pringle, who fought to stop raw sewage from being dumped in the ocean near his home in Scotland. Come away with actionable steps to take because protecting the ocean is up to us. And, since all oceans connect, there is really only one ocean for all. 

The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Praise for Mark Leiren-Young:

★“Vivid and fascinating...Budding scientists and animal lovers will keep this stellar title in full circulation as they learn the mysteries and history of octopuses.”—School Library Journal, starred review for Octopus Ocean

“Mark Leiren-Young is the kind of author who produces trustworthy works of nonfiction that will both entertain and educate children.”–CM: Canadian Review of Materials 

Mark Leiren-Young is an award-winning author, screenwriter, playwright and filmmaker. He is the author of three books about whales for children: Orcas Everywhere: The Mystery and History of Killer Whales (which was short-listed for a Red Cedar Book Award and the Information Book Award and won the City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize), Orcas of the Salish Sea and Big Whales, Small World (which were all commended as selections for the 2020 CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens). He has also written two books about sharks, including Sharks Forever: The Mystery and History of the Planet’s Perfect Predator (which was commended as an Honor Book for the 2023 Green Earth Book Award) and Big Sharks, Small World. He has written TV shows for young viewers for Netflix, CBC, ABC, BBC Kids and PBS. He wrote, directed and produced the award-winning documentary The Hundred-Year-Old Whale. Mark hosts the podcast Skaana, sharing ocean stories, and is actively involved in the fight for the survival of the endangered southern resident orcas. He lives in Saanich, British Columbia.

Bithi Sutradhar is a Bangladeshi illustrator and graphic designer who holds a Master of Publishing degree from Simon Fraser University, as well as an MFA and BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Dhaka. Alongside her professional illustration work, Bithi enjoys sharing her knowledge and skills through teaching. Her contributions have been recognized by educational institutions and government bodies such as the Ministry of Agriculture in Bangladesh. Bithi is the illustrator of the first four books in the Orca Take Action series: Allyship as Action, What a Waste, Sticking to the Facts and One Ocean. She lives in Vancouver and loves exploring the vibrant outdoor scenes in her spare time, finding inspiration in the city’s natural beauty.

• The Sunshine Coast Writers and Editors Society (SCWES) Book Awards for BC AuthorsShort-listed 2026

Mark Leiren-Young is a writer, documentary filmmaker, playwright, podcaster and orca activist. His book The Killer Whale Who Changed the World won a Science Writers and Communicators of Canada book award. He wrote, directed and produced an award-winning documentary The Hundred-Year-Old Whale, and his documentary about Moby Doll is being produced by Middle Child Films. Mark hosts Skaana, a podcast about orca and ocean stories, and is actively involved in the fight for the survival of the endangered southern residents. Mark has written for other young audiences for ABC, PBS, YTV, Treehouse and BBC Kids. His books for young readers include Big Whale, Small World, Orcas of the Salish Sea, Sharks Forever, Octopus Ocean and the City of Victoria Children’s Book Prize winner, Orcas Everywhere. He lives in Victoria, British Columbia.

Bithi Sutradhar is a Bangladeshi illustrator and graphic designer who holds a master of publishing degree from Simon Fraser University, as well as an MFA and BFA in graphic design from the University of Dhaka. Alongside her professional illustration work, Bithi enjoys sharing her knowledge and skills through teaching. Her contributions have been recognized by educational institutions and government bodies such as the Ministry of Agriculture in Bangladesh. In 2024 Bithi created the illustrations for the first three books in the Take Action series as part of an internship with Orca Book Publishers. Bithi lives in Vancouver and loves exploring the vibrant outdoor scenes in her spare time, finding inspiration in the city’s natural beauty.