Paul Watson (1) (1950–)

4.25 stars

Captain Paul Watson has been a champion for animals for all his life; he was also a co-founder of Greenpeace. This book focuses on his fight to save seals from the cruel Canadian seal hunt (which mostly includes Canadian and Norwegian sealers off the shores of Newfoundland and Labarador and Quebec (mostly the Magdalen Islands)). He does his best to protest non-violently, though he has been known to ram his ship into whaling or sealing ships to try to stop them. The non-violence, show more though, does not extend the other way, as he and his crew has been violently attacked multiple times; Police and politicians just stood aside to watch.

When Watson began his protests in the mid-1970s, the Canadian government just turned around and made illegal all the non-violent things he was trying to do to protest. And they did this quickly. This was so frustrating, as was the way police (both RCMP and Quebec Provincial Police) just stood around to watch. I could never do what Watson has done, though I’ve always admired him for it. I have been signing petitions against the seal hunt for a couple of decades (I think these were the first online petitions I ever signed). Watson is always able to find people willing to join him, though, and again, I admire those people. What’s worse: this book was published over 20 years ago and the seal hunt is still happening, with the Canadian government not only defending it, but subsidizing it, though the vast majority of people don’t approve of it (the odd time it actually makes the news, anymore). show less

With soothing illustrations, the wonders of the ocean and importance of water to our world comes across loud and clear.

The illustrations make this book. They are beautifully created and draw in with every scene. The lighter coloring and natural images calm, and still invite to dreaming. There's a touch of whimsical and imagination in every single one, while they bring across the wonders of nature and life. It's enjoyable to simply flip through these and gaze at them time and again.

The text show more is kept short and sweet, giving just enough direction to let the illustrations take over. The vocabulary is age appropriate. There is a concept or two, which might need to be explained to younger listeners (such as cells and humans being made of water), but nothing expands past the intended audience level. The entire book is a homage to water and brings across the importance it carries to the world and life on it. The messages are there, but never overpower the simpler wonder.

It's a wonderfully constructed book, which is sure to become a gazing favorite. I received a complimentary DRC and found myself caught up in the pages. show less

Playful illustrations (a dalmatian dog at the sea's edge mirrors a fish of the same pattern) echo facts about the ocean. The simple story comes full circle, illustrating the water cycle and how we are all connected by water.

I liked this book a lot better than the Seal Wars book. Again, sometimes Paul's attitude gets tiresome to read (and I mean him being his own biggest fan) but he really has accomplished so much in the environmental movement so it is justified horn tooting. A great read. I can easily see myself reading this again in the future.