{"product_id":"the-vanishing-sea-the-tale-of-how-the-aral-sea-became-the-aral-desert-9781797224596","title":"The Vanishing Sea: The Tale of How the Aral Sea Became the Aral Desert","description":"\u003cb\u003eThis artful and thought-provoking picture book shares the little-known story of the disappearance of the Aral Sea--and the loss of livelihood and biodiversity as fishing villages and ships were left stranded in the desert without water.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe Aral Sea once stretched across modern-day Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. A large saltwater lake of Central Asia (called \"sea\" because of its vastness), the Aral Sea's 26 square miles (67 square kilometers) sustained its surrounding communities for generations. Beginning in the 1960s, aggressive Soviet industrialization diverted water for agricultural production and caused the lake to shrink. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Today, the waters that had thrived for centuries have almost entirely disappeared--and along with them, the biodiversity of the lake, its thriving fishing industry, and the many homes along its shores. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Told in a folkloric style with stunning illustrations, this true tale chronicles what happens when nature's generosity is exploited. It gently invites readers to consider the reality of irreversible environmental harm, its global impact, and what it means to be compassionate to the land we live on. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eTIMELY THEMES: This book showcases lessons of community effort and perseverance, addressing important themes about the environment, biodiversity, water access, the impact of colonization, and the effects of industry and agriculture. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e LITTLE-KNOWN STORY: Few Central Asian stories like this are familiar to American and European readers, and very little has been published about the Aral Sea outside of Russia. This captivating picture book brings its important story to the world. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e FAR-REACHING IMPACT: The disappearance of the Aral Sea has a global impact: the effects have been documented as far away as Scandinavia and Antarctica, and toxic soils from the damaged Aral Sea basin are being carried by winds to the far corners of the planet. This story offers readers a chance to learn about the loss of a critical resource and reassess what it means to be environmentally aware, both locally and globally. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003ePerfect for: \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Young readers who love nature and fact books \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Educators, librarians, and parents seeking engaging geography and natural science books for kids \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Anyone looking for stories featuring an environmental call to action \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e A resource for talking about the impact of colonialism, industrialization, and underrepresented regions of the world \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Fans of Dinara Mirtalipova's art \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Dinara Mirtalipova\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Chronicle Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 02\/03\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 40\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.90lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 11.20h x 8.90w x 0.40d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781797224596\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAudience:\u003c\/b\u003e Ages 4-8\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eShelf Awareness\u003c\/i\u003e 01\/01\/0001\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e 11\/01\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 12\/01\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 12\/08\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eHorn Book Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e 01\/01\/2026 pg. 90\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 01\/01\/2026 pg. 58\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDinara Mirtalipova\u003c\/b\u003e is an award-winning folk illustrator and designer who was born and raised in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Her whimsical and instantly recognizable handcrafted work is inspired by Uzbek and Russian folklore and culture, which has been passed from generation to generation by her ancestors. She is the illustrator of \u003ci\u003eWoven of the World\u003c\/i\u003e--which received a BolognaRagazzi Special Mention for Nonfiction, a BIBF Ananas Grand Prix, and a Society of Illustrators Book Silver Medal--among many other books. She works and lives in northeast Ohio. Learn more about Dinara at mirdinara.com or on Instagram @mirdinara.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"booksdeli.com","offers":[{"title":"Dinara Mirtalipova \/ Hardcover \/ English","offer_id":47645098705053,"sku":"9781797224596","price":37.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0619\/5648\/9373\/files\/img_b6c0dda5-d1ac-410a-bf83-dab2101829d2.jpg?v=1770750980","url":"https:\/\/booksdeli.com\/products\/the-vanishing-sea-the-tale-of-how-the-aral-sea-became-the-aral-desert-9781797224596","provider":"booksdeli.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}