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The Aquanaut

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By Dan Santat
New York: Graphix, 2022. Graphic novel.

Things haven't been the same since Sophia's father, world-famous marine biologist Michel Revoy, was lost at sea. Sophia lives with her uncle Paul, her father's brother and partner, but he has become obsessed with work and disconnected from Sophia, often neglecting her and the Aqualand theme park that Michel and Paul used to operate. Just when the key investor to Aqualand threatens to pull his investment if the park doesn't get more tourist friendly (think dolphin shows and orcas doing tricks), a mysterious figure in an antique diving suit appears. The mysterious figure is actually a group of sea creatures dead set on delivering Michel Revoy's last message -- and maybe healing Sophia and Paul at the same time.

This book is a rare treat. The perfect blending of humor, action, and deep-felt emotions results in a delightful book. The graphic novel format is especially successful here -- the facial expressions on the sea creature group add a healthy dose of humor to the story and the few full-page spreads are wholly immersive. Dan Santat has a robust fan base already, and this new graphic novel is sure to win him more.
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